tftf  Iheologirj,/ 

PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


PRESENTED  BY 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION 


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SELF-SACRIFICE, 


OR 


THE  PIONEERS  OF  F DEG  I A. 


COMPILED  FOR  THE  BOARD^OI^rUBLICATION, 

By  SAEAII  A.  MYERS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRESBYTERIAN-  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

No.  821  Chestnut  Street. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  jcar  186],  by 
JAMES  DUNLAP,  Treas., 

in  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  Dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania. 


W.  W.  HARDING,  STEREOTYPE!!. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 


Introduction 5 

CHAPTER  I. 

Patagonia 9 

CHAPTER  II. 

Allen  F.  Gardiner 23 

CHAPTER  III. 

Under  the  Rod 42 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Missionary  Pioneer 53 

CHAPTER  V . 

Hambanati  and  the  Zulu  Mission 75 

CHAPTER  VI. 

South  America,  1838 — 1839  97 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Indian  Archipelago 118 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Chiloe  and  Patagonia 136 


3 


\ 

4 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

PACK 

The  Bible  in  South  America 156 

CHAPTER  X. 

An  Unsuccessful  Attempt 176 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Bolivia 184 

CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Reconnoitring  Party 193 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Surgeon  Williams 201 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Christian  Experience  and  Usefulness 208 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Fuegia 214 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Land  of  Darkness 222 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

First  Toils 232 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

New  Trials. 245 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Sickness,  Famine,  and  Death 263 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Floating  Monument 294 


INTRODUCTION. 


Firmness  and  constancy  of  purpose  that  withstands 
all  solicitations,  and  in  spite  of  all  dangers  goes  on 
straight  to  its  object,  is  very  often  sublime.  The  reso- 
lution of  St.  Paul  in  going  to  Jerusalem,  where  he  had 
the  firmest  conviction  he  should  undergo  every  species  of 
danger  and  persecution,  is  a beautiful  instance  of  the 
moral  sublime,  and  there  is  something  exceedingly  ma- 
jestic in  the  steadiness  with  which  the  great  apostle  of 
the  Gentiles  points  out  the  single  object  of  his  life,  and 
in  the  unquenchable  courage  with  which  he  walks  to- 
wards it.  He  says,  “What  mean  ye  to  weep  and  to  break 
my  heart ? I am  ready,  not  to  be  bound  only,  but  to  die 
at  Jerusalem,  for  the  name  of  Jesus.”  “ I know  that  ye 
all,  among  whom  I have  preached  the  kingdom  of  God, 
shall  see  my  face  no  more.”  “ Ye  yourselves  know  that 
these  hands  have  ministered  to  my  necessities.”  “ The 
Holy  Ghost  witnesseth  in  every  city,  that  bonds  and 
afflictions  abide  me;  but  none  of  these  things  move 
me,  neither  count  I my  life  dear  to  myself,  so  that  I 
might  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry 
1* 


u 


6 


INTRODUCTION. 


which  I have  received,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God.” 

Many  have  been  called  heroes,  conquerors,  conquered 
captains  or  soldiers  who  fought  bravely  ; but  then  was  it 
not  for  their  own  interest  or  advancement  ? In  like  man- 
ner, kings,  legislators,  the  founders  and  destroyers  of  em- 
pires, might  display  enlarged  views,  profound  policy,  or 
an  extensive  acquaintance  with  men  or  with  the  times ; 
they  might  evince  genius  aud  prudence,  but  they  did  not 
exhibit  virtue — for  the  word  virtue  implies  self-devotion 
or  self-sacrifice.  They  sought  but  their  own  glory,  and 
sacrificed,  not  themselves  to  others,  but  others  to  them- 
selves, and  thus  their  great  deeds  savoured  rather  of  egotism 
than  of  virtue.  The  martyrs  of  the  early  ages,  who  were 
persecuted  for  the  sake  of  religion,  and  sacrificed  them- 
selves for  what  they  believed  to  be  the  truth,  were  true 
heroes ; and  there  are  many  of  later  days — missionaries 
of  the  cross — who,  following  in  their  footsteps,  go  forth 
boldly,  to  break  the  bread  of  life  to  those  who  are  perish- 
ing for  want  of  spiritual  food. 

We  do  not,  however,  include  within  our  list  of  selfish 
heroes,  those  who  have  gone  forth  on  scientific  explora- 
tions ; for  these,  too,  are  missions  intended  to  benefit  man ; 
and  the  gallant  aud  benevolent  Franklin,  and  his  men, 
whose  melancholy  fate  forms  so  sad  a parallel  to  that  of  the 
martyrs  whose  history  we  are  about  to  relate,  deserve  a 
more  conspicuous  niche  in  the  temple  of  fame  than  did 
those,  who  to  s.erve  their  own  ambitious  purposes,  overran 
and  conquered  kingdoms.  They  found  the  crudest  of 
deaths,  surrounded  by  the  desolations  of  the  polar  regions, 


INTRODUCTION. 


7 


and  their  hones  for  months  lay  bleaching  upon  the  icy 
wastes — the  snows  their  only  winding  sheet ; the  cry  of 
the  arctic  sea-birds  their  only  requiem.  Our  own  gallant 
Kane,  too,  not  less  a martyr  than  they,  though  permitted 
by  a wise  Providence  to  return,  but  only  to  find  a grave 
in  his  native  land,  is  not  less  a hero,  since  his  errand, 
too,  was  in  the  cause  of  humanity.  Their  names  are  em- 
blazoned on  the  page  of  history ; their  epitaphs  are 
written  in  the  hearts  of  their  countrymen. 

These  martyrs  in  the  cause  of  science  have  had  the 
sympathy  of  an  admiring  world ; while  those  seven  de- 
voted men  who  went  forth  in  the  zeal  of  high  duty,  taking 
their  lives  in  their  hands,  to  bear  the  news  of  salvation 
to  savage  men,  and  face  the  terrors  of  a waste  volcanic 
region,  where  nature  was  as  niggard  of  her  bounty  as  on 
the  icy  wastes  of  the  arctic  region,  are  known,  compara- 
tively, to  but  few.  Nevertheless,  their  “reoord  is  in 
heaven,”  and  although  we  cannot  fathom  the  mysteries 
of  the  Providence  which  permitted  so  sad  a termination  to 
their  efforts  in  this  glorious  cause  of  bearing  the  gospel 
light  to  those  who  are  sitting  in  darkness,  their  memory 
shall  not  perish,  for  are  not  their  names  written  in  the 
Lamb’s  book  of  life  ? 

The  following  account  of  the  life,  labours,  sufferings, 
and  death  of  these  martyrs  to  missionary  zeal  has  been 
chiefly  compiled  from  the  Memoirs  of  Allen  F.  Gardiner, 
Commander,  It.  N.,  by  the  Itev.  J.  W.  Marsh,  and  of 
Surgeon  Richard  Williams,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hamilton. 


’ 


SELF-SACRIFICE, 


OR 


THE  PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PATAGONIA. 

From  the  earliest  clays  of  Church  history,  we 
find  that  a missionary  spirit  has  been  abroad ; 
the  mantle  of  the  apostles  has  fallen  on  many,  and 
the  command,  “ Go  ye  and  preach  my  gospel,  and 
teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,” 
has  been  obeyed.  Devoted  men,  believing  in  the 
assurance,  “ Lo,  I am  with  you  always,  even  unto 
the  end  of  the  world,”  have  gone  forth  boldly  and 
erected  the  standard  of  the  cross,  on  the  remotest 
shores  of  savage  Africa,  as  well  as  on  the  desolate 
ice  plains  of  the  polar  lands.  But  whilst  the  gospel 
was  preached  to  savage  negroes,  and  the  semi-savage 
nations  of  the  far  north  were  converted;  whilst 

“Ethiopia  stretched  out  her  hands  to  God,”  and 

9 


10 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  islands  of  the  great  oceans  waited  for  and  re- 
joiced in  the  glad  tidings  brought  by  the  heralds 
of  the  cross,  Patagonia,  the  most  remote  portion 
of  South  America,  had  been  neglected.  Of  con- 
siderable length,  extending  from  the  republic  of  La 
Plata  to  the  straits  of  Magellan,  it  includes  all  the 
continent  south  of  Fort  Maullin  in  latitude  41° 
43',  its  greatest  length  from  north  to  south  being 
1300  miles,  its  breadth  from  Cape  Lobos  to  the 
Andes,  700  miles.  The  range  of  sea  coast  on  the 
Atlantic  side  is  1100  miles;  on  the  Pacific,  700. 
Buenos  Ayres  is  its  northern  boundary ; its  eastern 
shore  is  washed  by  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic ; the 
Pacific  and  Araucania  lie  in  the  west,  and  the  straits 
of  Magellan  divide  it  from  the  island  of  Terra  del 
Fuego  on  the  south. 

The  whole  of  the  eastern  coast  is  dreary  and 
barren ; a tree,  even  in  the  neighbourhood  of  large 
rivers,  is  rarely  seen  to  refresh  the  eye  with  its 
verdure  or  give  shelter  with  its  shadow  ; the  vast  and 
seemingly  interminable  Pampas,  waste  and  desolate 
as  the  steppes  of  northern  Europe,  shut  in  by  the 
Andes  on  the  west,  and  on  whose  surface  herds  of 
wild  horses  or  flocks  of  ostriches  assemble,  stretch 
their  immense  lengths  from  the  Atlantic  boundary 
to  boundary.  The  climate  is  healthy  ; but  the  soil 
is  most  unproductive,  because  it  seldom  rains  in  this 
region.  On  the  western  coast,  along  which  the 
range  of  the  Gordillcras  stretch,  the  heavens  are  rarely 
clear ; the  sky  is  canopied  with  thick  clouds,  and  a 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


11 


steady  fog  increases  the  dreary  aspect  which  nature 
lias  chosen  to  assume  in  this  most  uninviting  region. 
The  Europeans,  that  adventurous  race  of  men  who 
have  forced  their  way  to  the  remotest  portions  of 
the  earth,  have  never  been  able  to  effect  a settle- 
ment here.  Nature,  mostly  generous,  has  been  too 
niggard  of  her  bounty  to  tempt  even  those  who 
voluntarily  seek  toil  and  danger  in  savage  lands 
and  still  more  savage  se'as,  to  seek  and  find  a home 
in  Patagonia.  The  wild  and  hungry  shores  of  the 
northern  parts  possess  but  few  objects  of  curiosity ; 
and  unimproving,  such  as  they  now  are,  the  same 
aspect  is  now  presented  that  appeared  before  the 
eyes  of  early  voyagers,  and  which  has  long  since 
been  so  well  described.  Perpetual  winds,  rocky 
cliffs,  driving  currents,  a coast  utterly  destitute  of 
vegetable  productions,  save  the  deep  and  intermin- 
able forests  that  fringe  the  Andes  on  the  western 
coast,  a thinly  scattered  race  of  human  inhabitants, 
existing  upon  the  shell-fish  as  it  takes  refuge,  or  is 
thrown  by  the  action  of  the  waves  in  the  interstices 
of  the  rocks,  form  no  inviting  prospect  for  the  ad- 
venturous. A few  whaling  vessels  have  touched 
there,  remaining  just  long  enough  on  the  coast  to 
seek  the  sea  elephant  which  is  found  in  the  Ant- 
arctic Ocean,  to  prepare  train  oil  from  the  blubber, 
and  remark  the  desolation  that  has  prevented  man 
from  settling  there. 

Even  the  missionary  spirit,  the  sublime  endeavour 
which  induces  the  devoted  followers  of  Christ  to 


12 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


forsake  home  and  friends,  and  go  to  the  most  in- 
hospitable regions  to  preach  the  word  of  life  to 
those  who  sit  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death, 
had,  before  the  period  of  which  we  are  now  writing, 
been  comparatively  but  little  awakened  in  behalf 
of  the  savage  nations  of  the  far  south ; no  man 
seemed  to  care  for  their  souls.  ' Some  English 
ships  sent  out  in  1827  on  an  adventurous  survey  in 
the  dangerous  straits  of  Magellan,  and  which  at 
first  was  no  more  successful  in  the  attempt  at  scien- 
tific discovery  than  was  the  expedition  to  find  out 
the  north-western  passage  by  the  lamented  Frank- 
lin, brought  such  accounts  of  the  natives  as  to 
awaken,  first,  some  curiosity,  and  afterwards  in- 
terest, as  to  whether  their  condition  might  not  be 
improved,  and  themselves  elevated  in  the  scale  of 
humanity,  by  preaching  the  gospel  among  them,  and 
teaching  them  the  arts  of  civilization.  The  Pata- 
gonians, or  South  American  Indians,  were  described 
as  being  in  the  main  friendly,  but  exceedingly 
savage.  It  was  said  that,  like  the  Arabs,  the  In- 
dian tribes  roaming  between  the  Cordilleras  and  the 
Atlantic  were  wild  and  free : their  hand  was  against 
every  man,  and  every  man’s  hand  against  them. 
Their  uncommon  stature  has  been  mentioned ; in- 
deed, Commodore  Byron  speaks  of  them  as  a race 
of  giants.  Some  travelers  assert  that  none  of  this 
race  are  under  six  feet ; but  this  is  most  probably 
an  exaggeration. 

The  Patagonians  are  a strong  and  well  built 

o o 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


13 


race,  muscular  and  robust.  Their  faces  are  round, 
somewhat  flat,  their  heads  somewhat  large  in  pro- 
portion, their  eyes  are  very  lively,  and  they  have 
teeth  extremely  fine  and  white.  Like  other  Indian 
tribes  they  have  long  straight  hair,  which  is  very 
black,  and  which  they  wear  tied  up  behind,  bound 
many  times  round  the  head,  and  fastened  in  the 
crown.  A few  of  them  wear  beards,  but  they  were 
neither  large  nor  bushy.  Their  complexion  is  cop- 
per colour,  that  of  the  women  being  considerably 
lighter  than  the  men.  Their  clothing  is  very  scanty. 
The  men  wear  a single  coat  or  garment,  made  of 
guanaco  skin,  with  the  hair  on  the  outside.  This 
thrown  around  the  body,  and  without  sleeves,  is  con- 
fined at  the  waist  by  a leathern  girdle.  The  women 
wear  nothing  on  the  head,  but  have  their  long  hair 
plaited  in  two  large  tresses,  which  hang  down  on 
each  side.  They  have  the  same  kind  of  mantle  as 
the  men,  which  they  fasten  before  with  a brass 
skewer  or  pin.  A short  apron,  woven  of  dyed 
yarn  and  striped  longitudinally,  is  worn  over  the 
mantle,  and  reaches  a little  below  the  knee.  The 
men  paint  their  faces  in  stripes  or  lines,  sometimes 
red  and  sometimes  black  ; like  all  savages,  they  are 
fond  of  ornament,  and  adorn  themselves  with  sky- 
coloured  beads  around  their  necks  and  wrists. 

The  women  have  ear-rings  or  pendants  of 
square  brass  plates,  and.  strings  of  beads  or  neck- 
laces, made  from  shells  or  the  bones  of  small  ani- 
mals. When  they  ride,  they  use  a straw  hat  of  a 


14 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


broad  conical  figure.  Both  sexes  wear  boots  or 
stockings  made  of  the  skins  of  horses’  legs : these, 
the  hoof  not  being  removed  when  flayed,  are  dried, 
softened  with  grease,  and  made  pliant  by  wringing, 
and,  put  on  without  shaping  or  sewing,  tend  greatly 
to  increase  the  likeness  these  races  bear  to  the 
brute  rather  than  the  human  creation. 

Ilude  and  savage  as  their  own  rocky  and  stern  river 
coasts,  they  are  nevertheless  not  without  ingenuity. 
Their  weapons  of  offence  are  made  with  some  skill. 
They  consist  of  spears,  bows  and  arrows,  and  slings, 
the  latter  of  which  they  use  with  such  precision  as 
nearly  to  equal  in  effect  an  ordinary  musket.  Be- 
sides these  they  have  the  Patagonian  bolas — a chain 
shot  of  formidable  character.  It  consists  of  two 
round  stones  covered  with  leather,  and  fastened  to 
the  two  ends  of  a string  about  eight  feet  long. 
One  stone  is  held  in  the  hand,  whilst  the  other  is 
whirled  round  the  head  until  it  acquires  sufficient 
velocity,  and  then  both  are  hurled  at  the  object. 
Should  it  strike  the  legs  of  an  ostrich  or  guanaco, 
it  instantly  twists  tightly  around  them,  and  holds 
the  creature  in  fetters  until  the  huntsman  comes  up. 
Like  all  other  tribes  of  wandering  savages,  they 
live  almost  entirely  upon  the  spoils  of  the  chase. 
The  flesh  of  the  wild  lama,  hoi’se,  and  ostrich  forms 
the  staple  of  their  food ; however  they  are  by  no 
means  dainty,  but  eat  almost  everything,  and  have 
been  known  to  make  a meal  of  tallow  candles  with 
seeming  relish,  swallowing  the  cotton  wicks  and  all. 


PIONEERS  OE  FUEQIA. 


15 


Tlmt  “man  really  wants  but  little”  is  fully  exempli- 
fied in  the  life  of  a Patagonian.  Ilis  horse  is  his 
earthly  all,  treasured  more  than  wife  and  children, 
and  his  dwelling  is  of  the  simplest  and  rudest  con- 
struction ; fitted  rather  for  the  lair  of  savage  ani- 
mals than  an  abode  for  human  beings.  It  may  per- 
haps be  w’ell  for  the  edification  of  those  of  our 
readers  who  know  little  of  these  remote  regions,  to 
give  some  account  of  their  temporary  habitations, 
than  which  nothing  more  wmetched  can  be  con- 
ceived. 

When  in  the  course  of  their  nomadic  wander- 
ings it  is  deemed  advisable  to  stop,  as  soon  as  a 
family  arrive  at  a convenient  place,  the  first  care  of 
the  women,  who  are  the  only  workers,  is  to  build  a 
house.  For  this  purpose  they  cut  down  twenty  or 
thirty  trees,  and  arranging  them  in  a circle,  at  cer- 
tain distances  apart,  the  area  being  fifteen  feet, 
with  the  narrow  ends  resting  on  each  other,  like  the 
sheaves  in  a shock  of  corn,  some  pliant  twigs  keep 
the  ends  of  the  branches  together,  which  being  bent 
form  a centre  at  the  top.  It  is  rendered  comfort- 
ably warm  and  air-tight  by  a covering  of  boughs 
and  seal-skins  on  the  windward  side,  leaving  one 
entrance  toward  the  sea  and  another  toward  the 
forest.  They  kindle  a fire  in  the  centre,  around 
which  they  huddle  together  night  and  day  in  stormy 
weather,  little  incommoded  by  the  smoke  which 
cannot  possibly  escape,  there  being  no  aperture  at 
the  top,  but  through  the  doorway,  which,  being  so 


16 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


low,  renders  its  egress  almost  impossible.  The  fur- 
nishing of  the  interior  corresponds  with  the  rude 
outside.  A few  skins  on  which  they  sleep,  an  old 
hag,  a few  cups,  which  made  of  skins  serve  them 
for  drinking,  some  small  stones  on  which  they  roast 
their  meat,  and  a bundle  of  pointed  poles  which 
they  use  in  drying  skins,  constitute  the  whole  of 
their  movables.  The  Patagonians  occupy  a very 
low  rank  in  the  scale  of  humanity.  They  are  rep- 
resented as  being  brave,  warlike,  and  friendly  to 
strangers,  but  also  lazy,  thievish,  treacherous,  and 
embruted  in  ignorance. 

Their  ideas  of  a Superior  Being  are  extremely 
vague  and  dark,  although  all  the  Patagonian  tribes 
believe  in  two  superior  principles,  the  one  good  and 
the  other  evil. 

They  believe  that  their  good  deities  made  the 
world,  and  that  they  first  created  the  Indians  in 
their  caves,  gave  them  the  lance,  the  bow  and  ar- 
rows to  fight  and  hunt  with,  and  then  turned  them 
out  to  shift  for  themselves.  They  imagine  that  the 
deities  of  the  Spaniards  did  the  same  by  them,  but 
that,  instead  of  lances,  bows,  &c.,  they  gave  them 
guns  and  swords.  They  suppose  that  when  the 
beasts,  birds,  and  lesser  animals  were  created,  those 
of  the  more  nimble  kind  came  immediately  out  of 
their  caves,  but  that  the  horned  cattle  being  the 
last,  the  Indians  were  so  frightened  at  the  sight  of 
them  that  they  stopped  up  the  entrance  of  their 
caves  with  great  stones : which  is  the  reason  they 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


17 


assign  why  they  had  no  horned  cattle  in  their  coun- 
try till  the  Spaniards  brought  them  over,  who, 
more  wisely,  had  let  them  come  out  of  their  caves. 

From  the  evil  principle,  they  say,  proceed  the 
great  number  of  demons,  which  they  suppose  are 
constantly  wandering  about  the  earth,  and  to 
whom  they  attribute  every  evil  that  befalls  man  or 
beast.  They  are  full  believers  in  sorcery  and  witch- 
craft, and  each  of  their  wizards  is  supposed  to  have 
two  of  these  demons  in  constant  attendance,  who 
enable  them  to  foretell  future  events,  to  discover 
what  is  passing  at  a great  distance,  and  to  cure  the 
sick,  by  combating  or  appeasing  the  other  demons, 
who  torment  them.  They  believe  that  the  souls  of 
their  wizards  after  death  become  demons.  Their 
worship  is  entirely  directed  to  the  evil  being,  except 
in  some  particular  ceremonies  made  use  of  in  refer- 
ence to  the  dead. 

The  profession  of  the  wizards,  notwithstanding 
the  respect  that  is  mostly  paid  to  them,  is  very  dan- 
gerous ; for  it  often  happens  when  an  Indian  chief 
dies,  that  some  of  the  wizards  are  killed,  especially 
if  they  have  had  any  dispute  with  the  deceased  just 
before  his  death. 

In  cases  of  epidemic  disorders,  when  great  num- 
bers are  carried  off,  the  wizards  often  suffer.  At 
one  time,  when  the  small-pox  had  almost  entirely 
destroyed  one  of  the  tribes,  the  cacique,  Cangapol, 
ordered  all  the  wizards  to  be  put  to  death,  believing 
that  by  that  means  the  distemper,  which  was  att rib- 


18 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


uted  to  the  sorcerers  and  their  demons,  would  cease. 
The  wizards  are  of  both  sexes,  but  all  wear  female 
apparel.  They  are  chosen  to  this  office  when  they 
are  children  ; are  clothed  very  early  in  the  dress, 
and  presented  with  the  drum  and  rattles  belonging 
to  the  profession  they  are  to  follow. 

The  burials  of  their  dead,  and  the  superstitious 
reverence  paid  to  their  memory,  are  attended  with 
great  ceremony ; varying,  however,  in  the  different 
tribes.  With  some,  when  an  Indian  dies  a woman 
is  immediately  chosen  to  make  a skeleton  of  his 
body ; the  entrails  and  flesh  are  burned,  and  the  bones 
are  buried  till  the  remaining  flesh  is  wholly  con- 
sumed, or  until  they  are  removed,  which  must  be 
within  a year  after  the  interment,  but  is  sometimes 
within  two  months,  to  the  burial  place  of  their  ances- 
tors. But  the  true  Patagonians  place  the  bones  on 
high,  upon  canes  and  twigs  woven  together,  to  dry  and 
whiten  in  the  sun  and  rain.  During  the  time  that 
the  ceremony  of  making  the  skeleton  lasts,  some  of 
the  tribe,  covered  with  long  mantles  and  their  faces 
blackened  with  soot,  walk  round  the  tent  with  long 
pioles  or  lances,  singing  in  a mournful  tone  of  voice, 
and  striking  the  ground  to  frighten  away  demons ; 
while  others  go  and  console  the  relatives.  In  other 
tribes,  the  bodv  of  the  dead  as  well  as  that  of  his 
best  horse  is  embalmed,  smoked  and  dried,  and  car- 
ried to  the  forest,  is  covered  only  with  branches. 
Among  a few  of  these  untutored  children  of  nature, 
the  corpse  is  buried  as  it  is  in  civilized  nations,  but 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


19 


the  best  horse  belonging  to  the  dead  is  pinioned  fast 
upon  the  grave  mound,  and  left  to  his  destiny.  In 
every  case,  however,  almost  all  the  horses  of  the 
dead  are  immediately  killed,  that  they  may  have 
the  means  of  riding  in  the  country  of  the  dead ; a 
few  only  being  reserved  to  grace  the  last  funeral 
pomp,  and  to  carry  the  relics  to  their  proper  sepul- 
chres. Some  tribes  bury  their  dead  in  large  square 
pits  about  a fathom  deep.  The  bones  are  put  to- 
gether, and  each  tied  in  its  proper  place ; the  skel- 
eton is  clothed  in  the  best  robe  that  can  be  got  and 
adorned  with  beads  and  feathers,  all  of  which  they 
change  once  a year.  They  are  placed  in  a row, 
sitting  with  the  sword,  lance,  bow  and  arrows,  bolas, 
and  whatever  else  had  belonged  to  the  dead  whilst 
living.  These  pits  are  covered  over  with  trunks  of 
trees,  and  canes  or  twigs  woven  together,  upon 
which  earth  is  thrown.  These  dreary  habitations, 
kept  with  great  care  and  opened  once  every  year, 
are  never  far  from  the  homes  of  the  living.  Around 
them  are  placed  the  bodies  of  their  dead  horses, 
raised  upon  their  feet  and  supported  by  stakes. 
But  the  true  Patagonians,  after  having  dried  the 
bones  of  their  dead,  carry  them  to  a great  distance 
from  their  habitations  into  the  desert  by  the  sea 
coast.  When  they  are  moved,  they  are  packed  up 
together  in  a hide,  and  placed  upon  one  of  the  fa- 
vourite horses  of  the  deceased,  kept  alive  for  the 
purpose,  and  adorned  with  mantles,  feathers,  etc. 
The  distance  to  which  these  bones  are  thus  carried 


20 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


is  sometimes  six  or  seven  hundred  miles.  The  skel- 
etons, when  put  together  and  adorned  as  above  de- 
scribed, are  set  in  order  above  ground,  in  a hut 
erected  for  that  purpose,  with  the  bones  of  their 
dead  horses  placed  around  them. 

Their  marriages  are  made  by  sale,  the  husband 
buying  his  wife  of  her  nearest  relations.  Polygamy 
is  allowed,  but  very  few  have  more  than  one  wife. 
The  women  are  submissive  and  industrious ; indeed 
their  lives  are  but  one  continued  scene  of  labour ; 
they  are  forced  to  submit  to  every  species  of 
drudgery,  and  no  excuse  of  sickness,  will  relieve 
them  from  the  appointed  labour ; the  husband  is 
the  lazy  lord — the  woman  the  oppressed  slave. 

Such  was  Patagonia  in  the  year  1833,  when  the 
first  attempt  was  make  to  Christianize  that  remote 
region.  The  Romish  missionaries  had  preached 
Christianity  to  the  Araucanians ; but,  although 
kindly  treated  by  them,  they  had  met  with  but  little 
success  in  converting  them  from  Paganism.  Shut 
out  by  its  remoteness  and  desolation  from  the  visits 
of  men,  offering  no  advantage  to  the  adventurer 
or  reward  to  the  industrious,  Patagonia  was  left  to 
continue  in  heathenish  darkness,  until  in  the  year 
above  mentioned  a missionary  spirit  was  awakened 
in  her  favour,  and  an  effort  wras  made  to  dispel  the 
deep  shadow  which  rested  upon  her.  It  had  been 
stated  that  the  Patagonians  were  a friendly  race 
and  of  good  capacity;  and  accordingly  the  North 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


21 


American  Board  of  Missions  sent  two  pioneers  to 
examine  the  capabilities  of  the  country,  and  to  try 
the  possibility  of  establishing  a mission  there. 
These  men,  devoted  and  self-denying,  spared  no 
pains  in  the  furtherance  of  their  benevolent  project; 
they  remained  nearly  three  months  among  the  na- 
tives, and  received  most  hospitable  treatment  from 
them,  hungry  barbarians  as  they  were.  But,  al- 
though the  disposition  of  the  Patagonians  towards 
them  was  good,  they  saw  no  likelihood  of  fruit  to 
their  labours ; the  provision,  consisting  only  of 
horse  flesh  and  ostrich  eggs,  was  revolting  to  men 
brought  up  in  the  midst  of  civilization  ; even  this 
could  not  always  be  obtained  in  sufficient  quantity 
to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  appetite ; and  altogether, 
so  many  dangers,  anxieties,  and  discouragements 
were  blended  with  their  daily  lives,  that  they  became 
altogether  disheartened.  A vessel,  cruising  about 
among  those  remote  and  oozy  islands  of  the  South 
Pacific,  touched  on  the  shores  of  Patagonia,  and, 
regretting  to  have  accomplished  so  little  and  with- 
out any  better  prospect  before  them,  the  missionaries 
returned  home,  bearing  with  them  an  account  of  the 
impracticability  of  establishing  a mission  in  that 
region  of  barrenness  and  starvation.  Since  that 
time,  although  efforts  to  spread  Christianity  in  other 
parts  of  the  world  were  made  with  zeal  and  vigour, 
Patagonia  was  left  to  herself ; her  heathen  children 
were  left  to  remain  in  ignorance  and  superstition, 


22 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OK  THE 


destitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  and  without  any 
man  caring  for  their  souls.  No  one  for  many  years 
after  this  time  could  be  found  who  was  willing  to 
take  his  life  in  his  hand,  to  go  and  preach  the  king- 
dom of  God  to  that  benighted  race. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


23 


CHAPTER  II. 

ALLEN  F.  GARDINER. 

“Is  he  a heathen  ? Teach  him  thy  better  creed, 
Christian  ! if  thou  deserv’st  that  name  indeed.” 

“ Give  me  the  dauntless  man, 

IVho  flinches  not  from  labour  or  fatigue, 

But  moves  right  on  upon  the  path  of  duty.” 

Although  Patagonia  was  discovered  by  Magellan 
in  1519,  and  was  visited  by  Byron  in  1764  and  by 
Wallis  in  1766,  it  seemed  to  possess  but  few  attrac- 
tions for  adventurers.  Little  is  known  of  it,  ex- 
tensive region  as  it  is.  No  European  nation  has 
sought  to  colonize  it,  and  it  has  never  been  tho- 
roughly explored  by  travellers.  In  1782  the  coasts 
were  surveyed  by  the  Spaniards,  whose  chief  atten- 
tion was,  however,  directed  to  the  examination  of 
the  straits  of  Magellan  ; previous  to  that  time  it 
was  uncertain  whether  there  was  not  a navigable 
channel  further  north  than  these  straits.  In  1826 
—1830  Captain  King,  in  examining  the  western  coast 
of  Patagonia  and  Fuegia,  found  it  to  be  bordered 
by  a range  of  islands;  Terra  del  Fuego  was 


24 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


found  to  be  intersected  by  a navigable  channel, 
which  he  called  Beagle  Channel. 

The  Spaniards,  who  had  sent  missionaries  among 
the  tribes  inhabiting  Arauco,  &c.,  endeavoured 
to  found  a colony  on  the  coast  of  the  Magellanic 
strait ; not,  however,  with  a view  of  benefitting 
or  converting  the  natives,  but  as  a resting  place 
for  their  ships  on  their  voyages  from  Chili  to 
Peru.  But  in  this  bleak,  mountainous,  and  barren 
region,  with  a rigorous  climate,  the  inhabitants 
of  a brighter  land,  born  under  sunny  skies  and 
nurtured  on  the  food  of  civilized  men,  could  not 
live ; the  whole  colony  perished  from  hunger,  and 
the  spot  on  which  the  settlement  was  made,  is  to 
this  day  called  Port  Famine.  Similar  attempts 
were  made  by  the  British  to  plant  a colony  at  Port 
Egmont  in  the  Falkland  islands  ; but,  with  an  in- 
hospitable climate  and  a soil  consisting  of  mountains 
and  bogs,  the  effort  has  not  prospered,  further  than 
to  render  it  a watering  place  for  ships  bound  to  the 
Pacific. 

So,  for  a long  time,  this  Antarctic  region  was 
left  uncared  for.  Ethiopia  was  stretching  forth  her 
hands  to  God,  and  the  isles  of  the  south,  receiving 
gladly  the  news  of  salvation,  but  no  one  ventured 
into  this  land  of  darkness,  to  spread  the  light  of 
truth  among  its  benighted  children.  But  the  love 
of  God,  which  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps,  awakened 
an  interest  in  the  heart  of  one,  who,  possessing  a 
true  missionary  spirit,  suffered  no  hindrance  or 


PIONEERS  OF  FCEGIA. 


25 


prospect  of  hardship  to  deter  him  in  carrying  the 
message  of  peace  to  Patagonia,  although  it  was 
warmly  represented  to  him  that  his  life  would  be  the 
price  of  the  venture. 

Allen  F.  Gardiner  was  the  name  of  this  faithful 
servant  of  God.  He  was  born  at  Basildon,  in  Berk- 
shire, England,  and  was  the  fifth  son  of  eminently 
pious  parents.  From  infancy  he  showed  a restless 
activity  of  disposition,  love  of  adventure,  and  a strong 
taste  for  a nautical  life.  Upon  one  occasion  when 
his  mother  went,  as  usual,  into  her  children’s 
nursery,  she  was  surprised  to  find  Allen  asleep  on 
the  floor.  On  being  aroused,  he  explained  his  not 
being  in  bed,  by  declaring  that  he  intended,  when 
he  became  a man,  to  travel  all  over  the  world,  and 
therefore  he  wished  to  accustom  himself  to  hard- 
ships. 

It  was  not  apparent,  before  he  left  home,  that  the 
decided  piety  of  his  parents  had  made  any  impres- 
sion upon  their  bold  and  reckless  boy ; but  the  good 
seed  had  been  sown ; there  was  an  influence  deep 
and  permanent,  as  it  was  silent  and  unperceivcd, 
which  remained  in  him  through  the  wildest  seasons 
of  his  early  life.  He  went  to  sea  in  1810,  and 
amidst  all  the  ungodliness  of  his  outward  course,  we 
find  him  ascribing  his  preservation,  under  circum- 
stances of  great  danger,  to  his  mother’s  prayers. 

He  was  sent  with  a watering  party  to  the  river 
Yumbel  in  Peru ; the  boat  upset,  and  the  whole 
crew  were  with  difficulty  rescued  from  drowning. 
3 


26 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


The  following  day  another  party  was  sent  on  the 
same  errand,  a similar  accident  took  place,  and  the 
midshipman  in  command  was  drowned.  An  impres- 
sion was  made  on  Allen’s  mind  at  the  time  by  this 
incident,  as  well  as  by  others  of  a similar  nature ; 
but  it  was  only  a fleeting  one.  He  became  an  infi- 
del and  a scoffer  in  profession,  and  as  daring  in  sin 
as  he  afterwards  was  fearless  in  duty.  Yet  with 
that  strange  inconsistency  which  often  characterizes 
the  ungodly,  he  showed  himself  weaker  than  a child 
in  facing  the  ridicule  of  man.  He  gives  a singular 
description  of  his  own  feelings,  when  some  fit  of 
remorse  or  remembrance  of  his  home  induced  him 
once  to  go  and  purchase  a Bible.  When  he  came 
to  the  bookseller’s  shop  he  was  ashamed  to  go  in  and 
ask  for  what  he  wanted.  He  paced  up  and  down 
the  street,  waiting  till  there  was  no  other  customer 
within,  for  fear  he  should  be  seen ; and  when  the 
quiet  opportunity  at  last  occurred,  he  thought  how 
strange  it  must  appear  to  the  bookseller  that  he 
should  ask  for  a Bible. 

About  the  time  when  he  was  so  near  losing  his 
life  by  drowning,  he  lost  his  mother,  whose  quiet  in- 
fluence had  held  him  in  check,  as  he  entered  the 
wild  and  daring  life  of  a naval  officer.  The  mid- 
shipman who  was  drowned  was  his  friend  ; at  such 
a moment  of  sorrow  for  one  he  loved,  and  gratitude 
for  his  own  narrow  escape,  how  would  the  thoughts 
unbidden  fly  homeward  and  imagine  the  mother  at 
prayer  for  her  young  son ! But  now  the  thread  was 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


27 


snapped  which,  like  an  electric  wire,  used,  at  a touch 
from  home,  to  convey  an  instantaneous  flash  of  home 
thoughts,  home  feelings,  home  affections,  and  home 
influence.  There  is  a secret  history  in  every  heart 
which  tells  of  this  unseen  power.  Parents,  brothers, 
and  sisters — their  kind  and  holy  influence  may  be 
checked  and  resisted  by  distance,  excitement,  habits, 
companions — yet  nothing  but  death  can  sever  the  in- 
visible chain  which  connects  the  thoughtlessness  of 
early  manhood  with  some  quiet  but  never-forgotten 
home. 

And  now  one  link  was  gone,  and  that  one  the 
tenderest.  His  mother  and  religion  were  inseparably 
connected  in  the  mind  of  the  young  man ; now  the 
mother  was  dead,  it  seemed  as  if  religion  would  die 
too.  In  the  roving,  reckless  life  of  a sailor,  he  saw 
little  profession  or  practice  of  true  religion ; what 
wonder,  then,  that  in  the  midst  of  such  excitement, 
even  the  form  of  religion  was  lost,  and  he  periled 
his  soul,  like  many  thousands  of  young  men,  amid 
the  headstrong  passions  of  youth,  the  love  of  plea- 
sure, and  the  eager  pursuit  of  his  professional  occu- 
pations, to  which  he  was  devoted  with  all  the  ardour 
of  his  zealous  nature  ! 

No  exact  date  can  be  assigned  to  his  recovery 
from  this  dangerous  state.  Every  one  is  subject,  at 
intervals,  to  those  inward  admonitions  by  which 
God  warns  us  of  our  sins  and  calls  on  us  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come ; and  the  fire,  kindled  early 
in  the  heart  of  Allen  Gardiner  by  his  home  educa- 


28 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


tion,  and  which  seemed  to  be  dying  out,  would  occa- 
sionally flash  forth  in  gleams  of  transient  bright- 
ness at  seasons  of  death  and  danger  such  as  we 
have  described. 

The  year  1820  found  him  somewhat  aroused  to 
reflection,  so  far  as  to  think  over  the  past  days  of 
childhood,  and  the  habits  of  prayer  thrown  away, 
and  the  words  of  Scripture  forgotten,  and  he  de- 
termined once  more  to  read  the  inspired  volume. 
But  so  long  a time  had  elapsed  since  he  had  looked 
into  the  Scriptures  that  he  now  had  not  a copy,  and 
deterred,  by  false  shame,  from  purchasing  one,  he 
still  “halted  between  two  opinions.” 

During  this  year  he  served  as  lieutenant  in  the 
Dauntless  which  weighed  anchor  on  the  30th  May 
for  Penang,  by  the  way  of  Madras,  and  thence  to 
China.  Madras  was  reached ; all  who  had  never 
been  there  before  were  eager  to  land  in  order  to 
experience  the  wonders  of  the  Madras  surf.  Of- 
ficers and  crew  were  delighted,  but  there  was  little 
time  for  enjoyment,  for  in  two  days  the  ship  was 
once  more  under  weigh.  They  arrived  at  Penang 
in  ten  days,  and  had  one  week  for  rambling  in  the 
thick  groves,  observing  the  flowering  shrubs,  and 
admiring  a luxuriance  so  great,  that  a single  ma- 
jestic tree  towered  above  its  fellows,  carrying  its 
lowest  branches  at  the  distance  of  111  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  ascending  to  a height  proportioned  to 
the  girth  of  its  trunk,  which  measured  upwards  of 
twenty-eight  feet. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


29 


It  was  while  he  was  at  Penang  that  the  dawn  of 
spiritual  life  was  first  perceived.  Two  letters  ar- 
rived, one  from  his  father,  now  unfortunately  lost ; the 
other  from  a lady  who  had  known  him  from  child- 
hood, and  felt  a deep  interest  in  him  for  his  mother’s 
sake.  These  letters  Allen  Gardiner  acknowledged 
to  have  been  instrumental,  under  God’s  blessing,  in 
working  a change  in  his  character.  This  lady  had 
been  deeply  pained  at  observing  how  far  he  was  at 
that  time  from  fulfilling  his  mother’s  hopes  and 
wishes ; and  knowing  that  one  of  his  sociable  dis- 
position and  quick  temper  might  probably  run  into 
great  temptations,  she  spoke  to  him  very  earnestly 
before  he  left  England,  and  gave  him  a short  nar- 
rative of  his  mother’s  last  days,  which  had  been 
written  by  his  father.  This  affectionate  memento 
of  his  lost  mother  was  the  companion  of  his  voyage, 
and  often  reminded  him  that  he  was  the  child  of 
many  prayers. 

We  give  a few  extracts  from  the  lady’s  letter. 
After  apologizing  for  the  freedom  with  which  she 
writes,  she  says : “ Need  I tell  you,  my  dear 

Allen,  that  we  are  all  by  nature  sinners, — lost,  un- 
done, guilty  creatures  ; born  into  a world  of  sin  and 
misery,  and  of  ourselves  utterly  incapable  of  break- 
ing the  bonds  of  Satan,  or  of  procuring  the  favour 
of  the  God  we  have  offended  ? Need  I tell  you 
that  if  we  remain  in  this  state  of  sin,  we  must 
perish  everlastingly,  and  that  upon  us  will  come  the 

curse  of  eternal  death — the  death  of  the  soul  as  well 

3* 


30 


SELF-SACK  [VICE,  OR  THE 


as  of  the  body,  the  everlasting  separation  from  God, 
and  the  everlasting  society  of  Satan  and  evil  angels? 
I am  sure  that  you  know  these  things,  and  that  you 
also  know  there  is  a remedy.  The  seed  of  the 
woman,  the  Divine  Saviour,  is  again  and  again 
promised  to  Abraham,  as  the  seed  in  whom  all  the 
nations  should  be  blessed.  And  in  the  fulness  of 
time  he  came,  taking  upon  him  our  nature  that  he 
might  fulfil  the  law,  that  he  might  atone  for  the  sins 
of  the  people,  and  set  them  an  example  that  they 
should  follow  his  steps.  Christ’s  people  are  ‘made 
willing  in  the  day  of  his  power,’  and  if  we  believe 
in  him,  we  shall  be  tranformed  into  his  image,  trans- 
lated out  of  the  kingdom  of  Satan  into  the  king- 
dom  of  God's  dear  Son. 

“Nothing  that  is  unholy  or  impure  can  enter 
heaven.  The  change  spoken  of  in  John  iii.  3,  must 
take  place  while  we  live  (through  the  working  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  our  hearts),  for  as  we  are  found 
in  death,  so  shall  we  ever  be ; there  is  no  repent- 
ance in  the  grave,  nor  pardon  offered  to  the  dead. 

. . . Unless  we  have  a new  heart,  a heart  of  flesh, 
we  cannot  believe  effectually.” 

There  was  much  more  in  this  letter  of  Christian 
admonition  and  scriptural  argument,  but  we  must 
not  tire  our  readers  by  making  further  extracts. 
Allen  Gardiner  connected  this  letter  with  the  prayers 
of  his  mother,  and  the  earnest  exhortations  of  his 
father.  And  when  the  ship  pursued  her  voyage, 
the  impressions  made  by  them  were  not  effaced. 


TIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


n -I 

ol 


Touching  at  Manilla  they  had  an  opportunity  of 
visiting  the  celebrated  tobacco  manufactory.  Gar- 
diner says,  “ Here  we  found  three  thousand  women 
seated  around  low  tables  arranged  in  regular  order, 
and  employed,  some  in  beating  out  the  leaf,  others 
in  rolling,  cutting,  and  at  length  packing  up  cigars, 
51,000  of  which  are  usually  made  each  day.  The 
process  is  very  simple.  Each  table  is  supplied  with 
two  cocoa  nut  shells,  filled  with  a paste  made  of 
Indian  corn,  into  which  their  fingers  are  occasion- 
ally dipped.  With  this  substance  the  flattened  leaf 
is  smeared  over,  and  when  sufficiently  moistened, 
rolled  up  with  the  palm  of  the  hands  and  cut  to  the 
size  required.  Adjoining  is  a similar  building,  on 
the  ground  floor  of  which  is  a bullock-mill,  for  pre- 
paring snuff.”  He  further  adds ; “ The  greater 

part  of  these  people  were  Indians,  and  all  professed 
Christianity.  It  is  astonishing  how  popular  the 
Romish  religion  has  always  become  among  Pagans, 
and  how  easily  it  is  grafted  upon  heathenism,  to  which 
it  is  in  many  respects  too  much  allied.  It  is  but  to 
lay  aside  one  set  of  rude  and  unmeaning  images, 
and  to  adopt  others  of  a more  attractive  form — to 
barter  stocks  for  saints,  and  turn  devotion  into  a 
pleasing  drama,  and  the  Indian  is  conscious  of  no 
other  difference.” 

After  leaving  Singapore,  ten  days  brought  them 
to  Macao ; but  our  limits  will  not  allow  us  to  ac- 
company the  officers  in  their  rambles  on  permitted 
territory,  nor  in  their  trip  to  Canton,  where  they 


32 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


were  amused  by  the  determined  and  noisy  method 
hy  which  the  Chinese  beggars  enforce  payment  for 
their  departure  ; where  they  visited  the  temples  and 
the  sacred  pigs,  admired  the  contrivance  and  the  in- 
genuity of  the  Chinese,  and  wondered  why  it  was 
that  these  masters  of  ingenious  mechanism  should 
do  all  the  work  themselves,  without  aid  from  ani- 
mals or  machinery,  there  being  only  a triple  division 
of  labour — the  buffalo  for  the  plough,  the  horse  for 
the  mandarin,  and  the  hands  of  man  for  everything 
else. 

Some  merchants  at  Macao  had  applied  to  the  Ad- 
miral on  the  station  to  allow  a ship  to  bring  a cargo 
of  specie  from  the  Pacific.  Gardiner’s  ship,  the 
Dauntless , was  the  one  appointed  for  the  purpose, 
and  therefore,  six  weeks  after  their  arrival  at  Macao, 
they  weighed  anchor,  and  set  forth  on  a trip  which 
promised  novelty  to  the  elders,  amusement  to  the 
juniors,  and  variety  to  all.  Touching  at  Manilla, 
they  were  met  by  the  news  of  the  appalling  ravages 
of  the  cholera,  and  they  received  a sad  account  of 
its  destructive  violence  among  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  Leander,  the  vessel  from  which  Allen  Gar- 
diner had  been  exchanged  into  the  Dauntless.  On 
December  3rd  they  reached  Penang,  where  this  re- 
port was  confirmed.  The  loss  of  many  of  his  late 
shipmates  had  a powerful  effect  on  the  mind  of 
Lieutenant  Gardiner.  In  confirmation  of  this,  the 
following  extracts  from  two  letters  addressed  by  his 
father  to  his  sister,  are  inserted. 


PIONEERS  OF  I’UEOIA. 


33 


“April  12,  1821. 

“ I have  the  high  gratification  of  communicating 
to  you  that  this  morning  I have  a letter  from  dear 
Allen.  It  is  dated  at  Macao,  the  10th  of  October, 
and  continued  at  Canton.  He  says  nothing  of  his 
health ; I therefore  trust  that  he  has  been  merci- 
fully spared  from  the  cholera,  which  prevailed  on 
board  the  Lcander.  The  voyage  has  proved  de- 
lightful. The  Dauntless  touched  at  Penang,  Ma- 
lacca, Singapore,  and  Manilla,  and  at  each  place 
time  was  given  to  explore  everything  worth  seeing. 
But  that  which  affords  me  more  satisfaction  than  I 
can  express,  is,  that  from  various  occurrences,  and 
from  a letter  he  received  from  me  intended  to  have 
reached  him  at  Spithead,  but  which  only  came  to 
his  hands  at  Penang,  he  has  been  led  to  review  his 
past  life,  and  his  mind  seems  to  have  taken  a religious 
turn.  God  grant  that  the  impression  may  be  last- 
ing ! When  we  meet,  I will  read  to  you  the  para- 
graph which  has  filled  me  with  such  joy.  It  must 
not,  however,  be  mentioned,  lest  they  may  only  be 
as  the  morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew.  Neverthe- 
less, I do  not  think  he  would  have  written  as  he  has 
done,  ascribing  to  the  grace  of  God  the  change  that 
has  taken  place  in  his  heart,  unless  his  convictions 
had  been  of  a very  serious  kind.” 

From  another  letter,  dated  April  14th,  1821,  we 
may  make  one  short  extract,  on  the  same  subject: 
“May  it  please  the  Almighty  Giver  of  all  good  to 


34 


PELE-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


make  these  religious  impressions  lasting,  and  may 
he  prove  an  example  of  every  Christian  temper,  and 
every  Christian  grace,  to  all  around  him.  Should 
not  such  an  instance,  as  that  before  us,  prove  the 
inestimable  advantage  of  a religious  education  ? It 
has  prevented  many  from  sinking  deep  into  the  paths 
of  the  destroyer,  and  it  has  led  others,  who  have 
fallen  into  gross  sins,  to  reflect  on  their  ways,  and 
retrace  their  steps,  having  from  early  instruction  a 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  way  of  ever- 
lasting life.” 

In  the  mean  time  the  Dauntless  pursued  her  way  to 
Trincomalee,  where  the  business  of  refitting  detained 
her  two  months,  which  time  was  spent  by  Gardiner 
in  rambles  through  the  islands.  But  a description 
of  scenery,  now  so  well  known,  of  the  rich  cultiva- 
tion and  romantic  defiles  of  the  city  of  Kandy, 
surrounded  by  natural  beauty,  and  yet  blotted  by 
the  indelible  stain  of  superstition,  would  be  out  of 
place  here,  so  we  will  only  mark  the  course  of  the 
Dauntless , which,  after  a voyage  of  two  months  and 
a half,  arrived  at  Port  Jackson.  There  they  re- 
mained for  five  weeks,  and  leaving  it  on  the  3d  of 
August,  passed  the  southern  extremity  of  New 
Zealand  and  made  the  Island  of  Masafuero  in  six 
weeks,  and  still  pursuing  their  voyage,  they  stood 
alone  the  north  shore  of  the  Juan  Fernandez,  and 
on  the  20th  of  September  reached  Valparaiso  Bay. 
Here  they  came  within  the  circle  of  news.  The 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


35 


death  of  Napoleon  and  tidings  of  the  war  of  Inde- 
pendence in  South  America  were  subjects  of  discus- 
sion ; and  as  Callao,  which  was  the  point  of  desti- 
nation for  the  Dauntless,  was  besieged  by  the  English 
squadron,  they  remained  at  Valparaiso  until  they 
heard  of  the  relief  of  Callao,  for  which  port  they 
sailed  on  the  27th  of  October.  Whilst  detained  at 
Valparaiso,  Gardiner,  with  two  companions,  set 
forth  on  a journey  to  visit  Santiago  and  the  Cordil- 
leras, through  a country  which  he  afterwards  tra- 
velled with  very  different  feelings.  Sailors  are  sel- 
dom good  equestrians,  and  the  long  ride  of  ninety- 
nine  miles  tried  their  power  of  patience  considerably. 
But  they  were  resolved  to  see  as  much  as  possible 
in  a short  time,  and,  suffering  no  hardship  to  prove 
a hindrance,  went  forth  boldly  on  their  survey. 
Passing  lightly  by  the  picturesque  appearance  of 
the  Chilian  peasants  with  their  high,  conical  hats 
and  flowing  ponchos,  they  ascended  the  heights  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Santiago,  took  a mast-head 
view  of  the  surrounding  scenery,  and  wandered 
along  the  broad  streets  of  the  city  in  search  of  the 
cathedral,  which,  although  incomplete,  stands  like 
a giant  among  the  low  roofed  houses.  They  were 
greatly  amused,  on  visiting  the  cloisters  of  St.  Merced, 
to  find  a company  of  monks  entertaining  themselves 
with  the  very  dignified  game  of  hop-scotch.  Bravely 
did  their  ecclesiastical  feet  hop  from  den  to  den, 
kicking  the  tile  before  them  with  all  the  elasticity 
of  English  schoolboys. 


36 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


They  were  much  surprized  at  the  universal  deso- 
lation of  the  city  in  the  afternoon;  the  shops  were 
closed,  the  streets  deserted,  business  at  an  end,  and 
all  Santiago  heavy  in  the  enjoyment  of  after-dinner 
slumbers.  Suddenly,  at  five  o’clock,  the  whole  city 
seemed  to  wake  up  with  a start,  and  poured  its  in- 
habitants into  the  streets  like  a shower  of  hail. 
Visiting  time  was  from  five  till  eleven ; and  the 
hospitality  always  shown  to  strangers  was  speedily 
extended  to  Gardiner  and  his  friends.  In  the  course 
of  the  evening,  other  guests  dropped  in  uninvited, 
according  to  custom,  and  music  and  dancing  were 
the  entertainment  provided.  During  the  intervals, 
preserves  were  handed  round,  and,  according  to  the 
amusing  etiquette  of  Santiago,  it  was  customary  to 
present  the  ladies  with  small  portions  on  the  end  of 
a fork,  each  gentleman  taking  especial  care  to  hold 
his  pocket-handkerchief  under  the  lady’s  chin,  that 
no  fragment  might  descend  on  her  dress. 

A striking  contrast  to  this  delicate  manoeuvre  oc- 
curred a few  days  after,  on  an  occasion  which  may 
be  called  a Chilian  pic-nic.  Starting  forth  one 
morning  very  early,  in  order  to  make  the  circuit  of 
the  city,  they  were  sorry  to  find  it  cloudy.  The 
distant  mountains  were  entirely  concealed ; their 
summits,  as  the  day  advanced,  appearing  like  so 
many  islands  floating  above  the  mists  that  hung 
about  their  sides.  Following  the  direction  of  the 
river,  through  lanes  over-hung  with  the  flowering 
branches  of  peach  and  plum  trees,  they  reached  the 


TIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


37 


little  valley  of  Nonoa,  where  they  proposed  to  break- 
fast. Entering  a small  inn,  prepared,  as  they  be- 
lieved, to  take  whatever  was  presented,  they  were 
amazed  when  a large  bowl  of  olla-podrida  made  its 
appearance,  without  knife,  spoon,  or  plate.  While 
they  looked  at  each  other  and  the  bowl,  a little  girl 
walked  in,  bringing  some  salt  in  the  hollow  of  her 
hand,  and  carelessly  threw  it  down  on  the  table. 
But  travellers  must  not  be  particular,  and  so,  not- 
withstanding the  prejudices  of  Englishmen  in  favour 
of  cleanliness  in  general,  and  against  dipping  their 
fingers  into  dishes  in  particular,  they  managed, 
with  some  help  from  penknives,  so  that  the  meal 
was  discussed. 

On  leaving  Nonoa,  they  rode  to  the  foot  of  the 
first  ridge  of  the  Cordilleras,  where,  after  fording 
the  Mapocho,  a deep  and  rapid  river,  they  reached 
a smelting  house  on  the  opposite  bank,  and  saw 
various  specimens  of  silver  ore  from  the  mines  of 
San  Francisco.  From  the  elevated  height  of  the 
spot  where  they  stood,  they  had  a magnificent  view 
of  this  splendid  country.  The  space  was  a rugged, 
broken,  rocky  height,  covered  with  aloes  and  under- 
wood ; a cascade  on  one  side,  vineyards  and 
orchards  on  the  slopes  of  the  hill,  hamlets  in  the 
valley,  and  the  city  and  plain  of  Santiago  in  the 
distance.  The  groups  of  gauclios  or  peasants  were 
full  of  life,  galloping  across  the  plain.  Every  one 

seemed  to  ride  ; the  women  were  all  equestrians, 
4 


38 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


and  were  to  be  seen  mounted  on  a kind  of  chair-sad- 
dle on  the  right  side  of  the  horse. 

With  much  reluctance  they  left  Santiago  for  Valpa- 
raiso, from  whence  the  Dauntless  sailed  on  the  27th 
of  October  for  Callao.  The  contrast  between  a 
voyage  along  the  east  and  west  coasts  was  very 
striking.  Here  the  water  was  so  smooth  and  the 
wind  so  uniform  that  the  voyage  might  have  been 
undertaken  in  an  open  boat.  The  clearness  and 
serenity  of  a Chilian  sky,  and  the  lovely  nights  ex- 
perienced on  that  coast,  exchanged  sometimes  for  the 
light  veil  of  clouds  which  so  often  obscures  the  sun 
in  those  regions,  were  long  remembered. 

They  reached  Callao  roads  on  the  22d  of  Sep- 
tember, where  they  found  a forest  of  merchantmen, 
chiefly  English.  On  landing,  everything  seemed  to 
point  out  the  grand  revolution  which  had  just  taken 
place.  Soldiers  were  billeted  everywhere,  and  many 
of  the  old  Spanish  residents  were  embarking  for  Spain. 

Lima  could  not  be  seen  to  advantage  at  that 
time  ; but  one  feature  of  the  place,  although  the 
fruit  of  war,  gave  our  sailor  friend  much  satisfac- 
tion. The  Inquisition  had  been  turned  into  the 
quarters  of  the  conquering  general,  a sure  sign  of 
its  complete  suppression.  Gardiner  went  over  this 
den  of  tyranny  and  torture  with  deep  interest;  the 
ceiling  of  cedar  was  pointed  out  to  him,  but  the  ex- 
quisite carving  seen  in  the  great  hall  or  place  of 
judgment  had  little  interest  for  him ; he  paid  more 
attention  to  a figure  of  our  Saviour,  beneath  which 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


39 


sat  those  judges  who  had  decreed  unrighteous  doom 
to  many,  and  was  suggestive  of  that  loving  mercy 
which  was  not  shown  by  them,  and  of  that  holy 
name  which  they  so  frightfully  profaned. 

Entering  the  public  burying  ground,  Gardiner 
had  some  conversation  with  a priest,  who  gravely 
confessed  that  the  poor  were  often  interred  without 
coffin  or  prayer.  We  can  imagine  the  surprise  ex- 
pressed by  Gardiner ; but  we  cannot  imagine  the 
priest’s  reply,  who  appealed  to  his  poverty,  and 
said,  that  “ unless  masses  were  paid  for,  they  could 
not  be  read.” 

The  Dauntless,  having  taken  on  board  its  cargo 
of  specie,  sailed  from  Callao  in  November,  on  her 
return  voyage  to  China.  After  an  attempt  to  settle 
a dispute  between  the  chief  of  one  of  the  Mar- 
quesas and  the  proprietors  of  a whale  boat  which 
had  been  seized  by  the  chief,  Captain  Gambier 
touched  at  Tahiti.  This  afforded  our  young  friend 
an  opportunity  of  witnessing  the  result  of  mission- 
ary effort,  both  there  and  in  some  of  the  neighbour- 
ing islands,  in  a manner  which  powerfully  impressed 
a mind  then  really  awakened  to  a sense  of  the  value 
of  souls.  The  observance  of  Sunday,  by  the  na- 
tives was  very  striking.  On  the  Saturday  the  Bay 
had  been  covered  with  canoes,  and  the  decks  of  the 
English  vessel  were  crowded  with  native  visitors. 
On  the  Sabbath  not  one  was  to  be  seen,  and  the  ser- 
vices on  shore,  which  Gardiner  and  other  of  the 
officers  attended,  were  observed  by  a most  attentive 


40 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


and  orderly  congregation,  numbering  about  two 
hundred  and  twenty. 

On  the  next  day,  our  friends  went  a few  miles 
into  the  interior,  to  see  a large  church  which  the 
late  king  had  erected.  He  had  determined  to  build 
a house  for  the  worship  of  God,  which  should  sur- 
pass in  size  any  that  had  been  erected  before  for 
idolatrous  purposes.  The  dimensions  of  this  ex- 
traordinary building  were  712  feet  by  56.  At  its 
opening,  in  1819,  three  pulpits  were  erected  at  equal 
distances,  from  each  of  which,  at  the  same  time,  a 
sermon  was  delivered,  the  united  audience  amount- 
ing to  six  thousand  people.  Though  this  building 
was  thus  out  of  all  proportion,  we  cannot  but  'ad- 
mire the  motive  which  led  to  its  erection.  They 
also  found  six  miles  of  good  road  already  completed, 
a certain  sign  which  showed  civilization  taking  its 
proper  place  as  an  attendant  of  Christianity. 

When  the  ship  lay  to  off  the  Bay  of  Huahine,  a 
large  party  went  on  shore.  Gardiner  remarks, 
“ The  surrounding  scenery  is  extremely  beautiful, 
coming  up  in  every  respect  to  the  most  romantic 
ideas  I have  ever  formed  of  a South  Sea  island.” 
And  adds,  “Although  the  mission  to  this  island  has 
not  been  established  four  years,  everything  indicated 
a more  advanced  state  of  society  than  was  observ- 
able in  Tahiti.  To  many  of  the  houses  paths  were 
regularly  made,  neat  wooden  bridges  were  thrown 
across  many  of  the  streams  that  issued  from  the 
mountains,  and  several  of  the  houses  were  weather- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


41 


hoarded  and  white-washed,  in  the  European  style. 
We  heard  that  the  usual  Sunday  congregation,  in- 
cluding four  hundred  children  who  attend  the  school, 
is  twelve  hundred.  In  drawing  a comparison  be- 
tween the  state  of  improvement  in  this  island  and 
at  Tahiti,  it  must  he  remembered  that  the  ground 
was  prepared  by  several  of  the  chiefs  and  their 
people  who  had  received  instruction  at  Tahiti ; so 
that  idolatry  was  actually  abolished  before  Christ- 
ianity was  established.  As  we  bore  away,  a beauti- 
ful rainbow  appeared  over  the  island;  a symbol, 
which,  notwithstanding  its  general  import  to  man- 
kind, I could  not  but  contemplate  with  peculiar  re- 
ference to  the  happy  valleys  on  which  it  seemed  to 
rest,  recalling  to  mind  the  promise,  “All  the  ends 
of  the  world  shall  remember,  and  turn  unto  the 
Lord  : and  all  the  kindreds  of  the  nations  shall 
worship  before  thee.” 

Little  more  than  three  iveeks  after  leaving  Ilua- 
hine,  loss  of  health  induced  Gardiner  to  return 
home  on  sick  leave,  and  a period  of  comparative 
quiet  succeeded  to  the  endless  changes  and  excite- 
ments of  his  nautical  profession.  It  was  greatly 
blessed  to  him,  as  our  sequel  is  about  to  show.  A 
critical  period  of  his  life  had  now  arrived,  and  he 
was  about  to  make  a great  and  decided  step,  one 
greatly  important,  both  in  time  and  for  eternity. 

4* 


42 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


CHAPTER  III. 

UNDER  THE  ROD. 

He  dreams  how  a veil  drooping  over  the  main 
Shall  be  rent  at  the  distant  horizon  in  twain, 

And  how  the  New  World,  by  the  gospel’s  pure  light, 
Shall  awake  from  the  darkness  of  heathenish  night. 

The  temporary  loss  of  health  proved  a great 
blessing  to  Lieutenant  Gardiner.  Opportunities  of 
reviewing  his  past  life  were  afforded  him,  and  he 
was  greatly  humbled  when  he  reflected  on  the  un- 
grateful return  he  had  made  for  special  mercies 
granted  to  him.  He  knew  that  he  was  an  object  of 
special  prayer  to  God,  among  very  true  friends. 
And  now  the  wheel  of  life  seemed  to  be  stopped,  in 
order  that  the  wavering  soul  might  be  taught  to 
pray  ; and  he  did  pray.  And  while  much  time  was 
given  him  to  revolve  what  should  be  his  future  pur- 
pose, each  day  strengthened  his  determination  to 
yield  himself  up  fully  to  the  service  of  God  for  the 
time  to  come. 

The  homeward  journey  became  indeed  a heaven- 
ward course ; the  young  naval  officer  was  being  in- 
structed by  the  Captain  of  his  salvation.  Soon  af- 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


43 


tor  his  return  home,  he  offered  himself  to  the  London 
Missionary  Society  as  a labourer  in  South  America, 
the  neglected  state  of  the  people  in  that  beautiful 
region  having  deeply  touched  his  heart.  But  the 
■way  was  not  opened  to  him  at  that  time. 

A journal  which  he  kept  while  abroad,  and  a 
series  of  sacred  meditations  written  at  intervals, 
chiefly  on  . Sundays,  extending  over  a period  of 
thirty  years,  will  take  the  reader  behind  the  scenes, 
and  show  the  progress  of  a soul  struggling  with  sin, 
enlightened,  watchful,  but  conscious  of  much  short- 
coming, and  grieving  over  a too  frequent  forgetful- 
ness of  a Saviour  whom  he  wished  to  serve.  We 
will  give  but  few  extracts  from  these  papers,  be- 
cause there  is  a degree  of  impropriety  in  thus  un- 
veiling the  soul’s  retirement,  and  only  allowable 
when  necessary  to  point  out  the  actuating  motives 
of  a Christian,  and  the  influence  of  God  on  his  soul. 
Still,  to  show  that  inconsistencies  of  character  are 
confessed  and  mourned  over  in  private,  and  that  the 
hand  of  God  is  recognized  in  all  the  providential 
affairs  of  life,  may  tend  to  quicken  the  negligent 
Christian,  and  rebuke  the  censorious,  who  are  al- 
ways ready  to  apply  the  charge  of  self-conceit  and 
hypocrisy  to  those  who  deeply  mourn  in  secret  over 
every  instance,  which  is  given  to  the  enemy  to  speak 
reproachfully. 

After  a prosperous  voyage  he  arrived  at  Cape 
Town,  in  August,  1822.  There  everything  reminded 
him  of  his  former  visit.  On  this  occasion  he  wrote 


44 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


thus  : “ The  last  time  I visited  this  colony  I was 

walking  in  the  broad  way,  and  hastening  by  rapid 
strides  to  the  brink  of  eternal  ruin.  Blessed  be 
his  name,  who  loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us,  a 
great  change  has  been  wrought  in  my  heart,  and  I 
am  now  enabled  to  derive  pleasure  and  satisfaction 
in  hearing  and  reading  the  word  of  life,  and  at- 
tending the  means  of  grace.  I trust  that  this  al- 
teration has  indeed  been  effected  by  the  Spirit  of 
God ; yet  I would  not  pause  a moment  to  draw  the 
contrast,  except  to  give  praise  and  gratitude  to  its 
merciful  author,  lest  I should  be  drawn  into  the 
fatal  snare  of  presumptuous  self-confidence ; but 
adoring  my  God  for  his  goodness  in  not  having  con- 
signed my  soul  long  ago  to  the  terrors  of  his  indig- 
nation, I would  carefully  examine  my  heart  as  to 
the  sincerity  of  its  professions,  and  humbly  implore 
at  the  throne  of  grace  pardon  for  all  that  is  past, 
and  assistance  to  guide  and  strengthen  me  for  the 
time  to  come.” 

And  again  at  sea,  “ If  Christians  in  the  main  are 
more  culpable  than  Jews,  how  much  must  they  have 
to  answer  for,  who,  like  Timothy,  have  been  taught 
the  holy  Scriptures  from  their  childhood,  and  yet 
have  despised  their  contents?  Such  are  the  aggra- 
vated sins  which,  if  unpardoned,  must  weigh  my 
guilty  soul  to  the  lowest  hell.  What  return  shall  I 
make  to  the  Lord  for  so  early,  so  unmerited  a dis- 
play of  his  goodness  ? After  years  of  ingratitude, 
unbelief,  blasphemy,  and  rebellion,  have  I at  last 


TIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


45 


been  melted  ? Alas  ! how  slow,  how  reluctant  have 
I been  to  admit  the  heavenly  guest  who  stood 
knocking  without!  Nor  had  he  ever  been  received, 
had  not  he  himself  prepared  the  way.  And  how  is 
he  now  entertained?  Ah!  too  unworthily.  Too 
frequently  am  I ashamed  to  acknowledge  the  hand 
that  was  outstretched  for  my  relief,  to  own  the  word 
that  warned  me  from  the  brink  of  ruin,  or  to  be 
seen  supplicating  that  assistance,  by  which  alone  I 
can  be  prevented  from  stumbling  over  the  dreadful 
abyss.  Is  this  religion  ? Is  this  love  to  God  ? Is 
such  my  usual  conduct  when  warned  of  any  tem- 
poral danger  ?” 

He  arrived  at  home  on  October  31st,  and  a week 
afterwards  he  made  his  first  proposal  to  be  engaged 
in  missionary  work.  The  results,  which  he  had 
seen  with  his  own  eyes  in  the  Society  Islands,  dis- 
posed him  to  call  the  attention  of  the  London  Mis- 
sionary Society  to  the  still  neglected  heathen  of 
South  America ; this  memorial  was  accompanied 
with  the  offer  of  personal  service ; but  the  commit- 
tee did  not  see  their  way  clear  to  adopt  his  plans. 
About  the  same  time  also,  he  thought  seriously  of 
changing  his  profession,  but,  obstacles  presenting 
themselves,  he  was  led  to  decide  against  taking  that 
step,  and  afterwards  became  firm  in  the  conviction 
that  St.  Paul’s  rule  is  one  for  general  observation, 
“ Let  every  man  wherein  he  is  called,  therein  abide 
with  God.”  This  explanation  will  illustrate  the 
following  extract : 


46 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


“ I have  this  morning  failed  in  an  endeavour  to 
obtain  the  privilege  of  being  admitted  to  holy  orders; 
but  shall  I dare  to  express  myself  disappointed  ? 
Had  my  will  instead  of  God’s  been  done,  the  very 
position  might  have  become  a snare.  For  some  wise 
end  it  has  been  denied  me.  IIow  dreadful  would 
have  been  the  breach  of  trust  in  an  office  of  such 
awful  responsibility  ! May  this  circumstance  work 
for  my  good,  by  teaching  me  humility  and  resigna- 
tion, and  putting  me  more  earnestly  upon  seeking 
the  Lord  in  fervent  prayer,  in  order  to  know  and  be 
enabled  to  perform  his  will,  although  it  may  be  con- 
trary to  my  own  short-sighted  views  !” 

The  next  seven  years,  in  which  he  became  a hus- 
band and  a father,  were  spent  in  the  privacy  of  do- 
mestic life.  Ilis  wife,  lovely  alike  in  mind,  person, 
and  religious  character,  was  a true  help  meet  to  him 
in  the  best  things;  and  doubtless  God  used  the  draw- 
ing out  of  the  home  affections,  from  which  his  wan- 
dering life  since  early  boyhood  had  excluded  him, 
to  develop  the  quick  sympathies  and  deep  attach- 
ments which  afterwards  resulted  in  loving  devotion 
to  the  work  entrusted  to  him. 

In  1824  he  was  again  called  into  active  service, 
and  in  the  capacity  of  first  lieutenant  to  II.  M.  S. 
Jupiter , sailed  for  the  coast  of  North  America.  On 
May  30th,  1825,  he  was  transferred  to  II.  M.  B. 
Clinker,  and  remained  in  command  of  that  vessel 
till  she  was  ordered  to  England,  eighteen  months 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


47 


later,  when  he  obtained  his  promotion  as  com- 
mander. 

We  will  not  intrude  more  than  necessary  into  the 
privacy  of  family  details ; nor  will  we,  having  tra- 
velled with  Gardiner  abroad  over  sea  and  land, 
and  accompanied  him  to  England,  enter  his  house 
uninvited,  nor  follow  his  every  step  like  a shadow. 
Having  given  a view  of  the  prevailing  tone  of  his 
mind  on  the  one  great  subject,  we  close  his  diary 
from  1825  to  1833,  in  which  period  he  was  not  en- 
gaged in  any  public  occupation,  but  in  which  wre 
believe  that  God  w'as  fitting  him  for  the  work  in 
which  he  was  afterwards  to  be  engaged. 

In  1833,  a succession  of  sore  trials  passed  over 
him.  Within  twelve  months  he  was  called  to  part 
with  an  aunt,  a dear  child,  and  the  beloved  wife, 
whose  delicate  health  had  long  been  a cause  of  deep 
anxiety.  He  writes  thus  of  his  own  feelings  on  this 
sad  occasion  : — 

“ My  earthly  comforts  have  been  removed  and  I 
pass  my  days  in  sorrow.  Blessed  be  God,  he  re- 
members that  we  are  but  dust.  In  my  deep  afflic- 
tion, he  has  not  left  me  without  many  and  great 
sources  of  comfort.  The  chief  of  these  is  drawn 
from  a review  of  the  manifold  grace  and  love  which 
he  vouchsafed  to  my  dearest  wife,  making  her  last 
days  the  brightest  and  happiest  of  her  life.  Oh, 
what  assurance  of  pardon,  what  joy  and  peace,  and 
heavenly  tranquillity,  and  ardent  desire  to  be  with 
her  Saviour,  did  he  infuse  into  her  soul ! He  has 


48 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


prepared  her  for  the  enjoyment  of  his  love,  and  is 
now  filling  her  happy  spirit  with  all  the  fulness  of 
his  grace  and  glory.  Tasting,  as  I do,  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious,  and  feeling  somewhat  of  his  re- 
deeming love  to  my  soul,  my  spirit  exults  in  her 
blessedness.  It  is  only  my  earthly  affections  that 
weep  and  would  call  her  back.  Forty  years  have 
now  passed  over  me — forty  years  of  patience  and 
long-suffering  on  the  part  of  an  offended  God,  and 
forty  years  of  vanity  on  the  part  of  his  wayward 
and  ungrateful  child.  Still  a child  I feel  I am,  and 
trust  I ever  shall  be.  The  Lord  has,  indeed,  of  late 
graven  upon  ine  the  marks  of  a child.  He  has 
chastised  me  sorely,  and  if  I neither  despise  his  chas- 
tisement nor  faint  under  it,  but  pray  that  it  may 
be  sanctified  to  the  saving  of  my  soul,  it  will  event- 
ually result  in  blessings.” 

The  “marks”  of  this  time  of  chastisement  were, 
indeed,  impressed  upon  his  whole  future  life,  in  the 
deeper  tone  of  Christian  thought  and  feeling  it 
seemed  to  awaken.  From  this  time  his  life  was  one 
of  incessant  action.  He  lived  as  a man  who  is 
looking  at  the  things  of  time  in  the  light  of  eternity. 
He  had  suffered  keenly  under  the  chastening  hand 
of  the  Almighty,  and  was  deeply  sensible  that  the 
half-hearted  way  in  which  he  had  hitherto  sought  to 
serve  God,  not  contented  with  making  a general 
resolution  to  do  better,  he  determined  to  consecrate 
his  previous  knowledge  and  all  his  energies  to  the 
service  of  Christ,  according  to  a solemn  act  of  self- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


49 


surrender,  which  he  had  made  by  the  bed-side  of  his 
dying  wife. 

The  state  of  the  heathen  nations,  still  unre- 
claimed in  different  parts  of  the  world,  had  made  a 
deep  impression  on  his  compassionate  nature ; he 
had  seen  the  wonderful  results  of  missionary  effort, 
under  God’s  blessing,  in  the  conversion  of  thousands 
of  such  poor  outcasts,  and  he  determined  to  seek 
out  openings  for  the  introduction  of  the  gospel  in 
any  region  where  no  attempt  had  yet  been  made. 

The  missionary  is  everywhere  the  grand  pioneer 
of  humanity,  and  in  all  ages  and  all  countries 
Christianity  and  civilization  have  gone  hand  in 
hand.  To  become  the  pioneer  of  a Christian  mis- 
sion to  the  most  abandoned  heathens,  was  hence- 
forward the  grand  aim  of  his  life.  Africa,  that 
mysterious  continent,  which  has  so  long  been  a little 
world  of  slavery,  rapine,  and  blood ; a home  for 
pirates,  the  grave  of  enterprising  travellers  and 
noble-minded  missionaries — Africa  was  the  country 
to  which  his  thoughts  were  first  directed.  It  seemed 
to  him  as  if  a black  thunder-cloud  had  settled  on 
that  unhappy  country,  leaving  only  two  sparks  of 
light  on  the  south  and  west. 

He  looked  at  Cape  Colony  and  saw  it  threatened 
by  invasion  from  the  Kafirs,  but  beyond  Port  Natal 
were  the  Zulu  tribes  and  other  populous  nations, 
where  a few  daring  English  settlers  were  to  be  found, 
but  where  no  missionary  had  ever  penetrated.  To 
these  benighted  regions,  as  yet  unvisited  by  the 


50 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


messengers  of  the  gospel,  he  resolved  to  go.  After 
surmounting  difficulties  much  of  the  same  character 
as  those  experienced  by  Dr.  Livingstone,  arising 
alike  from  impassable  roads,  swollen  torrents,  wild 
beasts,  and  still  wilder  men,  who,  not  actually  hos- 
tile, would  gladly  have  stripped  the  travellers  of 
everything  they  possessed : with  a few  companions, 
he  made  his  way  to  the  fierce  Dingarn,  king  of  the 
Zulus ; a savage,  who  was  cunning  as  he  was  cruel, 
and  had  obtained  the  throne  six  years  before,  by 
bringing  about  the  murder  of  his  own  brother  and 
predecessor  Charka. 

He  did  not,  however,  enter  on  this  new  era  of  life 
without  due  preparation  for  the  work  he  wished  to 
accomplish,  as  the  following  extract  will  show.  He 
writes  thus  on  his  last  Sunday  which  he  spent  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight. 


August  24,  1834. 

“ This  will,  probably,  be  the  last  Sabbath  which 
I shall  spend  in  England  for  many  months.  Lord, 
enable  me  deeply  to  feel  my  unworthiness,  humble 
me  for  my  provocations,  and  give  me  such  a sense 
of  thy  unspeakable  goodness,  that  I may  give  my- 
self 'wholly  unto  thee,  as  a living  sacrifice  in  thy 
service.  Lord,  fit  me  for  the  work  which  thou  hast 
inclined  me  to  undertake.  I feel  my  utter  insuffi- 
ciency, and  would  look  only  uqto  thee  for  strength 
and  guidance,” 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


51 


On  the  24th  of  August,  1834,  he  left  England 
for  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 


Wellington,  at  sea,  Nov.  11. 

“ We  are  now,  by  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon 
us,  within  one  day’s  sail  of  our  destination;  and  as 
it  is  my  earnest  desire  to  take  nothing  in  hand 
without  seeking  the  aid  and  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  I purpose  to  set  this  day  solemnly  apart  for 
fasting  and  prayer,  in  the  full  expectation  that  the 
Lord  will  graciously  attend  to  my  cry,  and  make 
my  path  clear  before  me. 

“ 0 most  holy  and  merciful  Lord  God,  I beseech 
thee  to  prepare  my  heart  now  for  solemn  prayer, 
make  me  to  feel  abased  in  thy  sight  for  all  my  sins 
and  provocations  against  thee.  No  longer  would 
I regard  myself  as  my  own,  but  bought  with  a price 
— and  oh  what  a price  ! Lord,  make  me  cheerfully 
to  give  up  all,  and  follow  thee.  Thou,  Lord,  hast 
put  it  into  my  heart  to  devote  myself  to  the  service 
of  the  heathen.  Oh  that,  if  it  be  thy  will,  I may 
be  a humble  instrument  in  thy  hand  for  good  unto 
their  souls  ! But  I am  as  unequal  as  I am  unworthy 
to  do  thee  any  service.  I know,  0 Lord,  that  with- 
out thee  I can  do  nothing  that  is  pleasing  in  thy 
sight ; but  at  the  same  time,  I thankfully  believe 
that  with  thee,  all  things  are  possible ; as  a little  child, 
I would  therefore  come  to  thee.  Lord,  undertake 
for  me,  and  prepare  my  way,  incline  the  hearts 
of  thy  people  to  further  my  errand.  Show  me 


52 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


clearly  the  path  of  duty.  Lord,  if  it  be  not  thy 
■will  that  I should  go  to  the  heathen,  permit  me  not 
to  deceive  myself ; hut,  if  otherwise,  oh,  be  thou  my 
light,  my  way,  and  my  refuge.  Direct  me,  0 Lord, 
what  I should  do,  to  whom  I should  apply,  and 
where  I should  go.  If  it  is  not  from  thee,  I desire 
not  to  go  one  step  farther.  And  I would  plead  be- 
fore thee  thy  gracious  promise,  ‘Come  unto  me,  all 
ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I will  give 
you  rest.’  Lord,  I am  laden  with  pride  and  self- 
ishness. This  is  the  sin  which  (thou  knowest)  doth 
most  easily  beset  me.  It  is  my  burden.  Save  me 
from  its  galling  yoke,  and  bring  me  wholly  to  sub- 
mit myself  cheerfully  to  thy  yoke,  which  is,  indeed, 
easy,  and  thy  ways  are  pleasantness.  Having  put 
my  hand  to  the  plough,  may  I never  turn  back  ! 
May  thy  strength  be  made  perfect  in  my  weakness.” 
On  the  13th  of  November  the  Wellington  anchored 
in  Table  Bay.  He  never  did  turn  back. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


53 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  MISSIONARY  PIONEER. 

“ Is  he  a heathen  ? Teach  him  thy  better  creed, 
Christian ! if  thou  deserv’st  that  name  indeed.” 

The  years  1834  and  1835  formed  an  important 
era  in  Captain  Gardiner’s  life.  From  the  year 
1818,  when  the  Keiskatnma  and  the  Great  Fish 
rivers  were  ceded  to  Cape  Colony,  conciliating  mea- 
sures had  been  adopted  towards  the  Kafirs,  but 
without  resulting  in  a substantial  peace.  The  Kafirs 
were  perpetually  re-occupying  parts  of  the  ceded 
territory,  carrying  off  cattle  and  provoking  hostili- 
ties; therefore  more  rigorous  measures  were  adopted, 
and  the  Kafirs  were  expelled  from  the  ceded  limits. 
A storm  was  brewing,  silently  but  surely,  and  in 
1834  it  was  known  in  the  colony  that  war  was  in- 
evitable. 

Such  was  the  position  of  affairs  when  Captain 
Gardiner  entered  the  colony,  with  a determination 
of  opening  a way,  if  possible,  for  the  introduction 
of  the  gospel  among  some  of  those  warlike  despera- 
does, who  had  never  yet  been  visited  by  the  mes- 
sengers of  Him  whose  kingdom  is  peace. 

5 * 


54 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


He  had  heard  much  of  an  approaching  war,  but 
as  it  had  not  jet  begun,  he  thought  it  would  be  pos- 
sible to  find  his  way  through  the  various  Kafir 
tribes,  till  he  should  reach  the  Zulus,  to  the  North 
of  Port  Natal. 

The  Amakosa,  Bechuana,  Amaponda,  the  wan- 
dering Bushmen,  and  the  Hottentots  had  received 
first,  the  Moravian  missionaries,  and  afterwards, 
those  of  the  Wesleyan,  London,  and  French  Pro- 
testant Societies.  These,  however,  were  scattered 
over  a wide  circle  of  country,  but  the  far  distant 
Zulus  had  as  yet  heard  nothing  of  Christianity. 

A few  daring  English  settlers  were  even  then  to 
be  found  at  Port  Natal.  It  was  time  that  some 
pioneer  of  missions  should  present  himself  where 
his  countrymen  were  bold  enough  to  remain.  On 
the  passage  to  the  Cape,  Captain  Gardiner  made 
the  acquaintance  of  a Polish  refugee  of  high  rank, 
travelling  under  the  assumed  name  of  Berken  ; this 
gentleman  entering  into  his  spirit,  accompanied  him 
first  to  the  missionary  station,  in  Kafirland,  and 
eventually  to  Port  Natal  itself. 

At  Graham’s  town,  many  tried  to  dissuade  them 
from  proceeding  through  a district  so  disturbed  as 
that  which  now  lay  before  them.  But  the  more 
alarming  the  rumours  of  war,  the  more  eager  were 
our  two  friends  to  hasten  their  journey ; and  pro- 
viding themselves  with  two  wagons,  thirty  oxen,  and 
an  interpreter,  they  fearlessly  traversed  the  ceded 
territory. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


55 


Two  days  after  they  crossed  the  frontier,  the  Kafir 
war  broke  out.  “ Poor  Captain  Gardiner!”  was 
the  remark  of  the  friends  at  Graham’s  town ; “ we 
shall  never  see  him  again.” 

Having  entered  the  Amakosa  territory,  they 
halted  at  Buffalo  river,  and  whilst  there,  the  natives 
drove  the  cattle  off,  and  the  man  in  charge,  with 
difficulty,  escaped  with  his  clothes.  A complaint 
being  made  to  Tzatzoe,  the  chief,  he  readily  agreed 
to  send  after  them,  and  a well  armed  party  pro- 
ceeded to  the  hamlet  where  the  suspected  thieves 
resided.  They  could  not,  however,  bring  them  to 
anv  kind  of  reason,  and  the  travellers  determined 
to  refer  the  case  once  more  to  the  chief ; but  in  the 
mean  time  the  cattle  were  driven  back.  The  chief 
was  now  to  be  thanked  and  rewarded,  and  he  who 
never  lost  anything  for  want  of  asking,  thinking 
that  wearing  two  shoes  was  carrying  luxury  too  far, 
intimated  that  Mr.  Berken  could  do  nothing  less 
than  give  him  one  of  the  two  he  wore. 

At  the  next  halting-place  they  were  partially  sur- 
rounded by  a crowd  of  Kafirs,  whose  attitudes  were 
by  no  means  peaceful;  and  an  order  being  given  to 
yoke  the  oxen  as  speedily  as  possible,  they  endea- 
voured in  the  meantime  to  amuse  the  natives.  They 
asked  fora  war  dance;  this  occupied  their  attention, 
and  served  as  a safety-valve,  and  gave  vent  to  some 
of  the  vehemence  of  their  impulsive  natures.  They 
yelled,  and  shouted,  and  declared  that  no  white  man 
should  again  enter  their  country,  or  eat  the  bread 


56 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


of  their  children ; but  ended  in  allowing  our  trav- 
ellers to  depart  peaceably. 

From  this  time  forward,  the  strictest  watch  was 
necessary  to  prevent  the  loss  of  all  that  was  por- 
table. The  restless  Kafir  prowled  round  his  prey 
in  the  darkness  of  night ; his  noiseless  feet  disturb- 
ing no  dream  of  the  weary  sleeper,  but  waking  with 
the  early  dawn,  he  might  see  the  dark  form  of  his 
nocturnal  visitor  stealing  quietly  away.  They  now 
entered  the  district  of  the  Amapondas,  a mountain- 
ous country,  but  studded  with  missionary  stations. 
The  Amapondas  were  friendly  to  the  English,  and 
Faku,  their  chief,  would  gladly  have  joined  them  in 
a war  with  the  Amakosa. 

A delay  at  the  Umzimvubu,  led  to  an  interview 
between  Captain  Gardiner  and  the  chief.  When  the 
former  rode  up,  he  found  Faku  sitting  in  state  under 
a roof  of  shields,  trying  a rain-maker  for  restrain- 
ing the  clouds,  and  thereby  causing  drought.  The 
rain-maker  defended  himself.  Faku,  however,  broke 
up  the  assembly,  by  coming  forward  and  shaking 
hands  with  his  visitor.  On  hearing  his  errand,  he 
said,  “ The  Zulus  are  an  angry  people,  and  will 
kill  you.  You  had  better  not  go  to  their  country.” 

The  travellers  found  their  way  further  beset  with 
difficulties.  The  distance  which  lay  before  them 
was  much  greater  than  they  had  been  led  to  expect, 
and  thus  provisions  fell  short.  Mr.  Berken,  becom- 
ing much  fatigued,  took  charge  of  the  wagons,  but 
the  dauntless  and  untiring  Gardiner  rode  forward, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


57 


impatient  to  begin  the  work  on  which  his  heart  was 
so  resolutely  set.  But  the  riders  met  with  many 
hindrances,  which  more  than  made  up  for  the  in- 
creased speed  of  their  movements.  Unacquainted 
with  the  route,  they  were  often  misled  by  hippo- 
potami paths,  and  had  to  retrace  their  way.  The 
horses,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  sank  suddenly 
into  a morass  or  quicksand,  and  had  to  be  extri- 
cated by  mining  with  the  hands,  one  leg  being  re- 
leased at  a time. 

A whole  night  Captain  Gardiner  spent  without 
food  or  shelter  on  a river  side,  with  hippopotami 
snorting  and  mosquitos  humming  around. 

This  river  was  the  Umkamas,  and  being  high  and 
rapid,  a canoe  wras  formed  of  ox-hide,  and  stretched 
on  a frame-work  of  poles.  In  this,  as  no  one  but 
the  Captain  had  any  idea  of  the  management  of  a 
boat,  he  made  the  first  attempt  to  cross,  with  the 
only  swimmer  of  the  party.  They  landed  without 
difficulty,  but  to  return  for  their  companions  was 
found  to  be  impossible,  from  the  force  of  the  current. 
The  next  morning,  one  of  the  horses  having  been 
made  to  swim  over  from  the  other  side,  Capt.  Gar- 
diner proceeded  without  delay  to  Port  Natal,  ar- 
rived there  about  sunset  on  the  same  day,  and  sent 
back  supplies  to  the  men  at  the  Umkamas. 

The  whole  journey  is  curiously  illustrative  of 
Capt.  Gardiner’s  rapid  and  decided  movements.  In 
his  haste  to  proceed,  he  had  left  Mr.  Berken  and 
his  wagons  at  the  Umzimvubu.  Twice  afterwards 


58 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


he  left  part  of  his  advanced  company  behind,  and 
arrived  at  Port  Natal  with  a single  attendant.  He 
did  not  linger  there.  In  two  days  he  was  again  on 
the  road,  with  a fresh  wagon  and  team  of  oxen,  but 
these  were  sent  back  from  the  UWani,  for  though 
the  river  was  practicable  for  men  and  horses,  it  was 
too  high  for  a wagon  to  cross.  At  the  Tugala,  for 
a similar  reason,  he  left  his  horses ; the  number  of 
alligators  which  infest  the  river  increasing  the  diffi- 
culty of  the  passage. 

Thus,  when  they  entered  the  Zulu  territory,  the 
whole  cavalcade  was  reduced  to  three  travellers  on 
foot,  Gardiner,  Cyrus  the  interpreter,  and  Umpon- 
dombeni,  a Zulu,  who  from  this  time  became  the 
Captain’s  faithful  attendant.  They  reached  the 
Tugala  on  Feb.  3d.  But  long  before  they  arrived 
there,  the  distant  hills  of  the  Zulu  country  were 
seen.  “ I shall  never  forget,”  said  Gardiner,  “ the 
interest  with  which  I perceived  the  first  curl  of 
smoke  rising  from  a distant  village  in  that  direc- 
tion. I forgot  all  fatigue  on  finding  myself  on 
Zulu  ground,  and  thanked  my  God  for  having  thus 
far  prospered  my  way.”  While  Captain  Gardiner, 
having  crossed  the  Tugala,  is  making  his  way  into 
the  interior  of  an  unknown  country,  it  may  be  well 
to  give  a short  account  of  the  people  he  was  now 
about  to  visit. 

The  authentic  history  of  a tribe  of  Africans  is 
not  easy  to  obtain.  Like  the  central  wilds  of  their 
mysterious  continent,  they  are  lost  in  obscurity. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


59 


The  petty  chief  rules  his  wretched  serfs  with  iron 
hand,  and  crushes  every  symptom  of  rebellion  with 
death.  But  let  the  bold  and  watchful  chief  be 
weakened  by  the  advance  of  years  or  misfortune, 
the  assassin’s  hand  is  ever  ready  at  the  bidding  of 
some  unscrupulous  adventurer,  who  steps  in  and 
seizes  the  power  he  longed  for.  A native  African 
will  obey  as  long  as  the  ruling  despot  has  the  power 
of  enforcing  his  commands,  and  then  he  is  willing 
to  transfer  his  allegiance  to  the  successor,  no  matter 
how  he  attained  his  elevation. 

The  successful  warrior  rules  his  tribe  till  a war- 
rior, more  successful  than  he,  destroys  him,  and 
reigns  in  his  stead.  It  signifies  little  to  a tribe  who 
may  be  its  chief,  provided  the  tribe  maintains  its 
ascendancy  among  the  surrounding  people.  Three 
qualities  are  necessary  to  a successful  chief.  lie 
must  have  daring  enough  to  plot  against  his  master ; 
he  must  be  careless  of  his  own  life,  and  still  more 
so  of  the  lives  of  others ; and  he  must  have  mind 
enough  to  keep  his  warriors  employed. 

This  was  the  character  of  Charka,  the  able  but 
unprincipled  king  of  the  Zulus.  lie  obtained  his  sov- 
ereignty by  assassination.  Reckless  of  danger  to 
himself  or  others,  he  was  continually  at  war,  and 
his  rule  over  his  subjects  was  most  arbitrary.  His 
own  territory  extended  from  the  sea  to  the  Quatli- 
lam ba  mountains  ; these,  however,  formed  no  barrier, 
for  his  troops  frequently  passed  them,  depopulating 
whole  villages,  and  driving  the  inhabitants  in  hordes 


60 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


upon  the  colony.  Charka  was  extending  his  con- 
quests southward,  and  alarming  Faku,  king  of  the 
Amapondas,  when  the  blow  of  an  assegai,  ordered 
by  his  brother  and  successor  Dingarn,  terminated 
his  life.  When  Captain  Gardiner  undertook  this 
journey  to  the  Zulu  country,  Dingarn  had  been 
king  for  six  years.  He  had  withdrawn  his  forces 
to  the  north  of  the  river  Tugala,  but  the  few  English 
settlers  at  Port  Natal  were  kept  in  continual  alarm 
on  account  of  his  threatened  forays  after  deserters. 

Lieutenant  Farewell  was  the  first  settler  in  Natal, 
and  his  fate,  as  related  to  Gardiner,  was  sufficient 
to  deter  any  one  less  brave  to  advance.  lie  was 
passing  through  a tract  of  country  occupied  by  a 
revolted  tribe  of  Zulus,  who  had  left  their  home 
and  settled  near  the  LTmzimvubu,  marking  their 
course  with  devastation.  They  enticed  Lieutenant 
Farewell  some  distance  away  from  his  people,  on 
pretence  of  selling  him  some  cattle,  and  treacher- 
ously murdered  him  together  with  his  attendants. 

Such  were  the  wild  people  to  whom  Captain  Gar- 
diner was  now  intent  on  bringing  the  knowledge  of 
the  gospel,  and  it  required  no  ordinary  boldness  to 
carry  on  such  a scheme ; but  under  the  conviction 
that  he  ought  to  do  all  he  could  for  the  glory  of  the 
Saviour,  who  has  promised  his  help  to  those  whose 
aim  is  to  obey,  he  crossed  the  Tugala,  and  ad- 
vancing into  the  country  of  the  Zulus,  effected  an 
interview  with  Dingarn. 

It  was  difficult  to  make  the  chief  understand  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


61 


object  of  this  visit.  What  was  God  and  God’s 
word,  and  the  nature  of  the  instruction  proposed, 
were  subjects  he  could  not  comprehend.  When  the 
many  advantages  accruing  to  other  nations  from 
the  reception  of  Christianity  were  represented  to 
him,  he  seemed  inclined  to  be  favourable,  and  asked 
if  his  people  could  learn;  but  he  evidently  re- 
garded the  whole  as  an  impossibility.  He,  however, 
gave  a partial  consent  that  a house  should  he  built, 
and  expressed  a desire  to  see  the  Book  of  which 
Gardiner  had  spoken  so  much,  and  bade  him  bring 
it  on  his  next  visit. 

Three  days  afterwards,  a second  intervew  was  had 
with  this  formidable  chief,  who  immediately  opened 
the  conversation  with  the  question,  “ Have  you 
brought  the  Book  ?”  A pocket  Testament  was  pro- 
duced. “ Read,”  commanded  Dingarn  ; and  pas- 
sages from  the  holy  volume  were  read,  pointing  out 
the  power  and  omniscience  of  God,  the  nature  of 
sin,  and  the  future  day  of  judgment.  “ Who  is 
God?”  said  Dingarn.  “Whom  will  he  judge? 
Will  my  people  be  at  the  judgment  ? Can  I ever 
learn  his  word?”  Yet,  notwithstanding  this  seem- 
ing interest  in  the  subject,  he  resorted  to  evasions 
whenever  he  was  asked  to  accept  of  a permanent 
Christian  teacher,  referring  him  to  his  two  principal 
Indunas.  These  dignitaries,  affronted  because  he 
had  not  made  his  business  known  to  them  before  he 
went  to  the  king,  tried  every  means  in  their  power 
to  insult  him  and  thwart  his  plans.  The  people 
6 


62 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


also  followed  the  example  of  their  superiors,  and 
jeered  him  and  his  companions  as  they  passed  by. 
At  length  the  behaviour  of  the  Indunas  changed. 
Gardiner  was  admitted  to  more  frequent  interviews 
with  Dingarn,  and  he  waited  a whole  month  in  hopes 
of  receiving  a distinct  answer. 

Captain  Gardiner  and  his  friends,  in  the  mean 
time,  received  a frightful  impression  of  the  horrors 
of  savage  life,  from  what  they  saw  of  Dingarn’s 
conduct,  which  rendered  him  more  than  ever  desirous 
of  establishing  Christianity  and  rooting  out  heathen- 
ism. Some  suspicion  was  thrown  upon  Gonjuana, 
Dingarn’s  brother,  as  having  plotted  against  him. 
True  or  false,  the  suspicion  was  enough  for  the 
tyrant,  who  was  a fratricide  himself.  The  unhappy 
wretch  was  seized,  with  his  servants ; they  were 
cruelly  beaten  with  sticks  on  all  parts  of  their  bodies, 
“ to  take  away  their  strength,”  as  it  was  said : and 
then,  driven  to  the  place  of  execution,  were  dispatched 
with  further  blows  on  the  head.  Gonjuana,  in  con- 
sideration of  his  being  a king’s  son,  was  strangled. 
The  tragedy,  however,  was  not  yet  ended.  With  a 
man  of  rank,  among  these  people,  live  or  die  all  his 
dependents,  and  Gonjuana  was  ruler  over  ten  vil- 
lages. His  death  was  the  signal  for  the  destruction 
of  his  doomed  subjects.  Assembled  by  a message 
from  the  king,  the  inhabitants  of  the  ten  villages 
dependent  on  the  murdered  prince,  were  treacher- 
ously attacked  and  stabbed  by  those  who  had  just 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


63 


been  conversing  with  them,  apparently  on  the  most 
friendly  terms ; and  few  survived  to  tell  the  tale. 

The  only  remedy  for  these  sad  cruelties  that  oc- 
curred to  Captain  Gardiner,  was  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel.  He  had  the  strongest  faith  in  the  power 
of  Christ  to  change  the  hearts  even  of  men  like 
these,  and  was,  therefore,  very  anxious  as  to  the 
success  of  his  present  attempt. 

At  the  end  of  a month,  no  progress  having  been 
made,  Captain  Gardiner  requested  an  audience  with 
the  king ; Dingarn  sent  him  to  the  Indunas.  The 
Indunas  were  dancing  and  could  not  be  disturbed. 
Next  morning  preparations  were  made  for  the  re- 
moval of  the  whole  population  to  a town  distant 
about  ten  miles.  No  questions  could  be  asked  now; 
Captain  Gardiner  therefore  accompanied  the  expe- 
dition. It  consisted  of  about  nine  hundred  men, 
and  had  a war-like  aspect;  they  moved  in  single  file, 
and  were  joined  by  the  men  from  two  towns  on  their 
way.  Dingarn  was  proud  of  his  troops,  and  fond  of 
being  received  with  noise  and  extravagant  antics. 
He  enquired  of  Gardiner  if  his  king  visited  his  peo- 
ple ; and  how  he  was  welcomed  when  he  made  his 
appearance.  Gardiner  immediately  tossed  up  his 
hat  into  the  air,  and  gave  three  cheers,  which  seemed 
to  give  great  satisfaction. 

As  soon  as  the  march  was  over,  a series  of 
public  dances  were  to  be  celebrated,  and  Gardiner 
felt  that  much  time  was  passing  away,  without  any 
hope  of  establishing  his  mission.  A pocket  Testa- 


64 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


ment  and  spoon  formed  his  whole  baggage ; the 
floor  of  a hut  was  his  bed,  and  a saddle  was  his  pil- 
low’. 

The  long  wished-for  interview  was  at  last  granted. 
The  little  Testament  was  produced,  but  the  two  In- 
dunas  expressed  themselves  with  great  decision  ; 
“ We  do  not  want  to  learn  it.  If  you  will  instruct 
us  in  the  use  of  the  musket,  you  may  stay;”  and 
Dingarn  closed  the  subject  by  saying,  “I  will  not 
overrule  the  decision  of  my  Indunas.” 

Keenly  as  he  felt  the  failure,  in  the  hour  of  dis- 
appointment he  wrote  that,  by  these  means,  “ God 
not  only  proves  and  prepares  the  instruments  by 
which  he  designs  to  work,  but  shows  us  that  his 
purposes  will  ripen  and  unfold  without  their  aid.” 

There  was  now  no  use  in  remaining  longer  ; and 
retracing  his  way  to  the  Tugala,  he  had  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  Mr.  Berken,  and  the  friends  went  back 
together  to  Natal.  Here  they  found  many  Zulu 
refugees  from  Dingarn’s  cruelty ; and  therefore, 
full  of  missionary  enterprise  as  ever,  and  in  no 
wise  daunted  by  his  late  failure,  Gardiner  estab- 
lished Sabbath  services,  and  schools  for  their  chil- 
dren. 

Immediately  on  their  arrival,  they  received  a letter 
signed  by  eight  residents  of  Port  Natal,  expressing 
their  great  regret  for  the  unfavourable  reception 
given  by  Dingarn,  but  also  declaring  their  approba- 
tion of  a missionary  establishment  at  Natal,  and 
promising  to  support  and  aid  in  the  promotion  of 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


65 


industry  and  religion,  by  every  means  within  their 
power.  Mr.  Berken  gave  his  friend  every  possible 
aid  in  his  plans  of  usefulness  ; and  determined  on 
making  this  place  his  future  residence,  sailed  for 
the  colony,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  stock  and 
supplies  for  the  farming  establishment  he  was  now 
commencing.  He  sailed  in  the  Circe , which  vessel 
never  reached  her  destined  port. 

Upon  a threatened  invasion  of  the  Zulus,  Gardi- 
ner made  a second  attempt  to  conciliate  their  savage 
chieftain.  The  population  of  Natal  consisted  of 
about  thirty  English,  a few  Hottentots  and  hunters, 
and  three  thousand  Zulu  refugees ; the  number  of 
the  last  being  greatly  increased  by  the  addition  of 
runaways  from  the  territories  of  Dingarn.  These 
he  threatened  to  reclaim  with  an  armed  force,  and 
as  the  people  of  Natal  knew  he  was  one  likely  to 
put  those  threats  into  execution,  they  were  kept  in 
a state  of  perpetual  alarm. 

Gardiner  was  successful  in  gaining  him  over  to 
enter  a treaty  on  the  following  terms.  A promise 
on  his  part  to  leave  the  present  inhabitants  of  Natal 
unmolested,  and  a refusal  on  their  part  to  admit  any 
more  deserters  from  his  territory. 

This  treaty  has  been  subjected  to  much  severe 
reprehension.  But  the  colony,  including  some 
thousand  refugees  from  Dingarn’s  territory,  was  en- 
tirely at  his  mercy,  and  therefore  a treaty  which 
should  secure  the  lives  of  all  those  resident  there, 
at  the  expense  of  refusing  to  receive  any  future  de- 


66 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


serters,  might  be  deemed  not  more  politic  than 
necessary. 

Some  address,  however,  on  the  part  of  Gardiner, 
who  was  the  bearer  of  the  treaty,  had  to  be  used 
to  conciliate  this  formidable  chief.  He  travelled  on 
horseback,  accompanied  by  his  interpreter,  two  Zulu 
servants,  and  a wagon  ; and  in  six  days  arrived  at 
the  head  quarters  of  Dingarn.  The  ceremony  of 
offering  presents  was  highly  agreeable  to  his  savage 
majesty.  A pair  of  naval  epaulettes,  which  were 
forthwith  sewn  on  his  red  cloak,  some  coloured 
prints  of  English  scenes,  which  gave  occasion  to 
many  questions,  and  a telescope,  the  first  he  had 
seen,  gave  him  no  little  pleasure,  and  put  him  in  a 
most  conciliatory  mood. 

At  last  came  the  decisive  interview.  Dingarn 
gave  his  “ fast  word,”  but  said  that  the  whites  would 
be  the  first  to  break  the  treaty, — a prediction  un- 
happily fulfilled,  despite  of  Gardiner’s  effort  to  hold 
them  to  their  word. 

A conversation  relative  to  the  mission  and  the 
Holy  Book  followed,  and  the  Indunas,  overjoyed  at 
the  treaty,  offered  no  opposition. 

But  further  proceedings  were  stopped  by  the  con- 
tinued desertion  of  the  Zulus,  and  Gardiner,  feeling 
that  his  pledged  word  must  be  sacredly  kept,  re- 
turned to  Natal,  to  see  that  the  terms  of  the  treaty 
were  fulfilled.  He  knew  that  no  other  course  would 
give  security  to  the  white  settlers  or  refugee  Zulus, 
and  therefore  insisted  that  the  deserters,  now  on 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


67 


their  way,  should  be  sent  back.  Four  runaways, 
(the  only  persons  ever  sent  back,)  were,  according 
to  the  treaty,  given  up.  Captain  Gardiner  accom- 
panied them,  in  order  that  he  might,  if  possible,  ob- 
tain their  pardon  from  Dingarn,  and  teach  them 
what  Christ  had  done  for  sinners. 

At  Congella,  Dingarn  received  them,  and  appeared 
in  so  good  a humour  that  Captain  Gardiner  was 
able  to  plead  for  their  pardon.  This  was  denied, 
but  a promise  was  obtained  that  their  lives  should 
be  spared,  which  however  was  not  kept,  for  no  sooner 
had  Gardiner  gone,  than  they  were  put  to  death. 
That  Dingarn  was  somewhat  afraid  of  his  late  visi- 
tor, seems  evident  from  this  act  of  duplicity.  He 
subsequently  published  an  order  that  no  trade  should 
be  allowed  with  Port  Natal,  and  that  none  but  Gar- 
diner should  be  permitted  to  enter  his  country. 

He  returned  then  a third  time  to  the  king,  to  ex- 
plain that  he  had  had  no  power  to  prevent  the 
breach  of  promise,  for  Dingarn  was  at  that  time 
greatly  incensed  at  the  unfair  dealings  of  two 
Natal  traders,  who  had  enticed  deserters,  at  the  very 
time  of  the  agreement  to  receive  no  more.  Never- 
theless, he  at  once  expressed  his  readiness  to  treat 
with  him , and  the  Natal  settlers  through  him,  but 
holding  him  answerable  for  any  breach  of  agree- 
ment on  their  part.  Gardiner  represented  that  he 
had  no  power  whatever.  “ You  must  have  power,” 
was  Dingarn’s  reply.  “ I give  you  a large  tract  of 
country ; you  must  be  the  chief  over  all  the  people 


G8 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


there.”  This  unexpected  proposition  made  a jour- 
ney to  Graham’s  Town  necessary,  in  order  to  con- 
sult Sir  Benjamin  D’Urban  on  the  propriety  of  its 
acceptance  or  refusal. 

The  journey  to  Umziravubu,  and  through  the 
country  of  the  Amapondas,  was  by  no  means  dan- 
gerous. Faku,  their  chief,  had  from  twelve  to  fif- 
teen thousand  men  at  his  disposal,  and  was  on 
friendly  terms  with  the  English.  But  as  they  ap- 
proached the  country  of  the  Amakosa,  who  were 
then  at  war  with  the  colony,  the  travel  became  more 
hazardous.  Gardiner’s  original  plan  was  to  ride  in 
the  night,  with  the  swiftest  horses  he  could  procure. 
But  no  guides  would  undertake  the  journey ; he 
therefore  retraced  his  steps  to  Bunting.  The  locusts 
on  some  parts  of  the  road  were  so  numerous  that 
the  ground  could  scarcely  be  seen,  and  numbers 
were  crushed  under  the  horses’  feet.  The  travellers 
were  in  great  want  of  food  on  their  arrival  at  Bunt- 
ing at  sunset,  not  having  tasted  anything  since  an 
early  breakfast  on  the  previous  day. 

Passing  by  Faku’s  Amapondas,  from  whom  no 
assistance  could  be  obtained,  Gardiner  once  more 
crossed  the  Umzimvubu,  and  found  himself  among 
the  Amahoash,  whose  chief,  Tpai,  was  a thorough 
specimen  of  an  African  despot,  lie  was  very  ready 
with  questions  as  to  the  part  Dingarn  was  likely  to 
take  in  the  Kafir  war,  and  on  the  movements  of  the 
English  army,  but  when  asked  for  guides  his  replies 
were  unsatisfactory.  Not  an  individual  would  vol- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEOIA. 


69 


unteer,  therefore  it  was  necessary  to  go  back  to 
Port  Natal. 

Great  Avas  the  anxiety  caused  by  this  detention. 
Nature  was  beautiful  in  this  wild  spot,  but  in  the 
nightly  bivouac  who  could  contentedly  admire  her 
vagaries,  with  a mind  vexed  and  tormented  with  dis- 
appointments and  delays  ? 

Another  route  was  now  to  be  attempted.  For 
this  the  equipments  consisted  of  two  wagons,  fifty- 
one  draught  oxen,  twelve  calves  for  food ; allowing 
two  span  of  twelve  oxen  for  each  wagon.  Though 
the  country  Avas  much  broken,  they  made  tolerable 
progress  for  four  days,  when  one  of  the  wagons  be- 
came fairly  imbedded  in  a swamp,  and  had  to  be  dug 
out. 

The  comforts  and  luxuries  of  civilized  life  are  so 
numerous  and  appear  so  necessary,  that  however 
familiar  one  may  be  with  African  wanderings  and 
traveller’s  tales  of  life  in  the  bush,  it  is  really  hard 
to  realize  the  long  drawling  journey  of  a South 
African  traveller,  or  the  tedious,  vexatious  delays 
which  he  must  endure. 

The  wagon  being  dug  out  of  a SAvamp,  a hill  rises 
straight  in  the  path.  One  wagon  must  be  sloAvly 
dragged  up  by  both  teams  of  the  grunting  oxen, 
which  must  go  back  and  fetch  the  other.  Then 
comes  the  crossing  a river ; the  shouting,  screaming 
tones  of  the  drivers  ; the  snorting,  grunting,  half- 
rebellious  voices  of  the  annoyed  beasts,  the  crush- 
ing of  the  wood  beneath  the  ponderous  Avheels,  are 


70 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


altogether  exciting.  And  then  the  dash  into  the 
water,  the  floundering  of  the  oxen,  the  exertion  to 
keep  the  baggage  dry,  add  no  little  to  the  previous 
bustle.  But  when  the  road  is  unknown,  the  guides 
ignorant,  the  passage  of  the  mountains  extremely 
doubtful,  a better  lesson  in  patience  under  difficul- 
ties, than  such  a journey  as  was  this,  it  is  not  easy 
to  conceive. 

Guides  were  obtained  by  Captain  Gardiner,  but 
they  deserted  when  it  rained ; fortunately  the  rain 
was  not  of  long  continuance,  and  the  so-called 
guides  returned,  but  as  the  track  was  lost  after  a 
few  days’  journey,  they  confessed  their  ignorance 
of  the  way,  and  were  therefore  dismissed. 

Gardiner  now  attempted  to  steer  his  way  by  the 
points  of  the  compass,  but  at  the  evening  bivouac, 
it  was  too  often  found  that  little  progress  had  been 
made  in  the  right  direction. 

Once  as  he  was  pushing  on  ahead  of  his  wagons, 
in  search  of  a practicable  pass,  he  ascended  from 
crag  to  crag,  leading  his  horse,  he  was  overtaken 
by  a thunderstorm,  and  a thick  mist  rising,  nearly 
concealed  the  path.  He  unsaddled  his  horse,  and 
seating  himself  on  a rock,  prepared  to  pass  the  night 
where  he  was.  Undaunted  by  this  new  difficulty, 
patient  as  ever,  and  without  the  remotest  hope  of 
assistance  from  his  party,  he  “ had  recourse  to  that 
sure  refuge,  a throne  of  grace,”  and  He  who  is  the 
hearer  of  prayer,  listened  to  his  cry  and  delivered 
him.  Through  an  opening  in  the  mist,  he  was  soon 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


71 


enabled  to  perceive  the  route  by  which  he  could  re- 
trace his  steps ; and,  although  it  soon  after  became 
as  thick  as  ever,  he  was  able  to  proceed,  and  after 
a tedious  walk  by  night-fall,  succeeded  in  rejoining 
the  party  with  the  wagons. 

Wherever  he  might  be,  it  was  Gardiner’s  practice 
to  have  public  service  with  his  companions  on  Sun- 
day, and  if  Kafirs  were  with  him,  a second  service 
in  the  Kafir  language.  And  now  here,  among  the 
Quathlamba  mountains,  where  probably  divine  ser- 
vice had  never  been  held  before,  the  sound  of  praise 
and  prayer  ascended  to  heaven.  Where  could  be  a 
more  appropriate  temple  for  worship  of  the  Most 
High  than  in  this  mountain  scene  of  great  magnifi- 
cence, exhibiting  as  it  did  many  of  the  sublimest 
characteristics  of  the  Alps — rocks  rent,  and  scat- 
tered about  in  shapeless  fragments,  in  others  stand- 
ing upright,  like  the  ruins  of  ancient  castles.  No 
passage  could  be  found  among  these  craggy  obsta- 
cles, and  after  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  cross  the 
chain,  it  was  determined  to  follow  the  course  of  the 
mountains,  which  run  parallel  with  the  coast,  until 
they  should  reach  the  colony  near  Stormberg.  Often 
after  a travel  of  ten  miles  a day,  they  found  they 
had  advanced  only  two  or  three  from  the  last  bi- 
vouac. 

On  crossing  the  Umzimkulu,  the  foot-marks  of 
men  and  a dog  were  seen  ; this  proved  that  the 
country  was  inhabited  or  visited  by  man,  and,  a few 
days  after,  a well-beaten  path  was  traced  to  the 


72 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


brink  of  a cave.  Here  they  found  marks  of  fire, 
remnants  of  mats,  bunches  of  Indian  corn,  bowls, 
and  head-plumes ; but  the  print  of  horses’  feet 
showed  plainly  that  a party  of  Amakosa  had  re- 
treated to  this  mountain  fastness.  The  cave  was 
capable  of  containing  one  hundred  persons ; the 
Kafirs  could  not  have  left  it  more  than  six  or  seven 
weeks.  A life  in  the  bush  sharpens  the  conjectural 
faculties,  and  the  desertion  of  this  strong-hold 
seemed  to  be  the  notification  of  peace  with  the 
colony.  Full  of  this  hope  and  that,  consequently, 
the  usual  road  to  the  colony  was  open,  Gardiner 
now  thought  only  of  reaching  the  coast  by  the 
nearest  route.  After  a fortnight’s  difficult  travelling 
this  was  effected  by  eight  of  the  party,  with  three 
pack  oxen ; the  rest  were  left  to  follow  at  leisure. 
Large  herds  of  gnu  frequently  rushed  past  the 
strange  intruders,  their  necks  covered  with  shaggy 
hair,  and  their  white  tails  floating  in  the  wind. 
Whole  colonies  of  baboons  were  sometimes  disturbed, 
some  of  them  nearly  the  size  of  a man ; and  while 
the  larger  specimens  sat  and  grinned  at  the  travel- 
lers from  the  rocks  and  trees,  the  females  carried 
off  their  young  in  great  alarm. 

When  they  arrived  at  Bunting,  they  were  most 
kindly  received,  and  while  they  tarried  there  waiting 
for  the  wagons,  two  Wesleyan  missionaries,  direct 
from  the  colony,  gave  the  joyful  announcement  that 
all  hostilities  had  long  since  ceased,  and  a treaty 
bad  been  entered  into  with  Kheeli  the  Kafir  chief. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


73 


All  difficulty  was  now  removed,  and  Captain 
Gardiner  accompanied  the  missionaries  back  to  the 
colony.  They  travelled  on  horseback  to  Graham’s 
Town.  The  traces  of  war  were,  in  many  places, 
quite  evident;  the  mission  houses  were  burned,  but 
the  missionaries  were  at  their  posts. 

Near  Butterworth  they  visited  Kheeli,  in  hope  of 
obtaining  horses.  They  were  told  that  the  English 
had  taken  all  their  horses.  They  succeeded,  how- 
ever, in  obtaining  guides  to  the  Kei  river,  to  which 
point  they  accompanied  them,  but  could  not  be  in- 
duced to  cross.  “On  gaining  the  British  side,” 
says  Gardiner,  “we  knelt  down  and  offered  up  a 
prayer  of  thanksgiving  to  the  God  of  all  our  mercies, 
by  whose  good  providence  we  had  been  so  mercifully 
protected  on  our  journey.”  On  reaching  Fort 
Warden,  Gardiner  was  supplied  with  fresh  horses  to 
King  William’s  Town,  the  head  quarters,  where  he 
was  received  with  great  interest  and  provided  with 
a military  escort  to  Graham’s  Town. 

He  found,  on  his  arrival  there,  that  Sir  Benjamin 
D’Urban  was  at  Port  Elizabeth,  one  hundred  miles 
distant.  By  riding  through  part  of  the  night,  our 
missionary  pioneer  accomplished  the  distance  in 
twenty-six  hours;  had  a most  satisfactory  interview 
with  the  Governor,  who  gave  his  consent  that 
Gardiner  should  accept  of  Dingarn’s  offer,  and 
sent  a letter  expressive  of  his  satisfaction  of  the 
measure,  by  a vessel  then  about  to  sail  for  Port 
Natal. 


74 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Thus  encouraged,  our  unwearied  pioneer  sailed  at 
once  -for  England,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  the 
Church  Missionary  Society  to  make  use  of  the 
opening  thus  provided. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


75 


CHAPTER  Y. 

HAMBANATI  AND  THE  ZULU  MISSION. 

“ Methinks  these  beauteous  spots  remain, 

Like  virtues  in  the  savage  breast, 

Mementoes  that  we  still  retain — 

Of  purity,  at  first  impressed, 

Brief  notices  of  Eden’s  joy, 

That  Sin  itself  could  not  destroy. — Gardiner. 

The  first  object  of  Captain  Gardiner  on  reaching 
England,  was  to  present  a despatch  from  Sir  B. 
D’Urban  to  the  Home  Government,  urging  upon 
them  the  importance  of  colonizing  Port  Natal;  and 
at  the  same  time  offered  for  their  disposal  the  exten- 
sive grant  of  land  he  had  himself  received  from  Din- 
garn.  The  Governor’s  proposal  was  negatived  at 
that  time,  although  it  has  since  been  found  neces- 
sary to  act  in  accordance  with  the  suggestions  then 
made.  A letter  was  addressed  to  the  committee  of 
the  Church  Missionary  Society,  detailing  the  recent 
researches  among  the  Zulus,  and  earnestly  implor- 
ing them  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opening  now 
made. 

The  Society  did  not  at  once  consent,  for  want  of 


76 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


men,  but  on  the  3d  of  May,  at  the  annual  meeting 
in  Exeter  Hall,  an  appeal  was  made  in  behalf  of  a 
mission  to  the  Zulus,  not  only  in  a formal  resolu- 
tion, but  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  Gardiner  him- 
self. The  success  of  these  appeals  may  be  seen  at 
once  from  the  fact  that,  on  the  9th  of  November, 
instructions  were  given  to  the  Rev.  Francis  Owen, 
his  wife  and  sister,  on  occasion  of  their  departure 
for  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  to  commence  the  mis- 
sion to  the  Zulus.  These  excellent  persons,  who 
had  volunteered  for  this  special  mission,  were  urged 
to  be  active  and  laborious  in  acquiring  the  native 
language,  in  translating  parts  of  the  Scriptures,  and 
in  forming  a Christian  school  for  Zulu  children. 

During  Captain  Gardiner’s  stay  in  England  he 
married  again ; and  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
three  children,  embarked  together  with  the  Owen 
family,  for  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

They  landed  at  Cape  Town  on  March  2d,  1837, 
and  were  kindly  received  by  the  Governor,  who  con- 
sented to  preside  at  a meeting  for  the  formation  of 
a Church  Missionary  Association  at  Cape  Town. 

Thus  far  all  was  promising.  Captain  Gardiner 
had  reached  the  country  which  he  hoped  to  make 
the  land  of  his  adoption.  Missionaries  were  on 
their  way  to  the  Zulus,  and  he  was  about  to  follow. 
But  “whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chastcneth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.”  The  de- 
stroying angel  was  once  more  commissioned  to  enter 
the  family.  II is  eldest  child,  a blooming  lively  girl 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


77 


of  twelve  years  of  age,  was  the  victim,  and  without 
showing  any  definite  symptom  of  disease,  she  gradu- 
ally faded  away.  The  sea  voyage,  it  was  hoped, 
would  restore  her  to  health.  Then  the  wagon  jour- 
ney through  the  colony  would  certainly  benefit  her. 
But  no ; neither  availed.  Although  she  entered 
into  the  varying  adventures  of  such  a journey  with 
liveliness  and  spirit,  it  was  but  too  apparent  when 
they  arrived  at  Graham’s  Town  that  she  wras  near- 
ing her  everlasting  rest.  But  as  her  father  watched 
her  gradual  decline,  his  heart  was  not  all  sorrow; 
he  had  the  comfort  of  witnessing  a marked  growth 
in  grace ; and  of  knowing  that  in  view  of  her  ex- 
pected change,  “all  was  well.”  She  fed  upon  the 
51st  Psalm,  and  the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  and  rested 
her  soul  in  simple  confidence  on  the  Saviour’s  words, 
“ Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I will  in  no  wise  cast 
out.”  She  died  on  the  voyage  from  Port  Natal  to 
Port  Elizabeth,  May  11,  1837,  and  was  buried  at 
Berea.  It  seemed  a dark  providence.  The  thoughts 
of  Allen  Gardiner  had  joyfully  centred  for  a long 
time  on  the  spot  which  he  now  reached  in  sorrow  ; 
and  his  first  act  on  landing  was  to  provide  a grave 
for  his  firstborn.  There  the  mourning  family  laid 
down  the  lifeless  flower.  They  looked  above  for 
comfort,  and  they  found  it.  Blessed  is  the  assurance 
that  tells  us,  “ What  ye  know  not  now,  ye  shall 
know  hereafter.” 

Gardiner  had,  however,  little  time  to  brood  over 
his  sorrow,  for  other  cares  claimed  his  attention. 
7* 


78 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


As  soon  as  the  fact  of  his  arrival  was  made  known, 
and  it  was  learned  that  he  was  about  to  settle  in  the 
Zulu  territory,  the  people  crowded  around  their 
English  chief,  to  express  their  willingness  to  live 
under  his  authority;  and  soon  their  huts,  springing 
up  about  his  home,  near  the  river  Umtongata,  about 
half-way  between  Port  Natal  and  the  Tugala,  formed 
the  beautiful  village  of  Hambanati,  or  “ Come  with 
us.” 

As  soon  as  he  had  settled  his  family  in  temporary 
houses,  Gardiner  felt  it  important  to  make  a visit 
to  Dingarn.  In  the  course  of  his  journey  he  halted 
at  a Zulu  village,  and  the  Incosi-case,  or  chief 
woman,  was  informed  that  this  was  God’s  day,  and 
was  asked  if  she  were  willing  to  attend  the  services, 
or  if  any  of  her  people  wished  to  do  so.  Her  reply 
was  by  no  means  peculiar  to  her, — the  same  is  often 
heard  in  Christian  towns, — “ She  could  not  go  her- 
self, and  did  not  think  any  of  her  people  would,”  a 
prediction  which  proved  most  true.  Services  were 
however  held,  prayers  were  offered  up,  one  of  the 
Zulu  baggage-bearers  was  instructed,  and  an  All- 
seeing  eye  above  witnessed  the  love  which  his  ser- 
vants bore  to  Christ. 

A journey  of  four  days  brought  Gardiner  into 
Eingarn’s  presence.  He  found  him  seated  on  a rock, 
following  with  his  glass  every  party  which  approached 
from  the  direction  in  which  he  expected  his  presents. 
The  presentation  of  those  sent  by  the  colonial  gov- 
ernment was  made  in  due  form.  A pair  of  epaul- 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


79 


cttes,  several  yards  of  red  cloth,  some  military  but- 
tons, a package  of  pink  tape,  and  a silver  watch, 
with  gilt  chain  and  seals. 

Dingarn  was  greatly  pleased  with  all  the  things, 
and  was  as  much  enraptured  as  a child  by  the  ex- 
ploit of  winding  up  the  watch.  A pair  of  worsted 
slippers  were  soon  fitted  on  his  great  feet,  upon 
which  he  observed  to  the  wondering  spectators, 
“ He  took  my  measure  before  he  went.” 

At  length  the  presents  were  all  discussed,  and 
the  chief  was  ready  to  listen.  He  was  informed 
that  the  teachers  for  whom  Gardiner  had  gone  to  his 
own  country,  were  now  on  their  way ; and  when 
asked  where  they  were  to  build,  he  replied,  at  Un- 
kunginglove.  This  was  the  place  which  Gardiner 
had  selected,  and  he  expressed  his  satisfaction  and 
thanks  accordingly. 

Dingarn  however  replied  that  he  wished  Gardiner 
to  build  also  at  Unkunginglove,  but  when  he  was 
made  to  understand  that  operations  were  commenced 
at  Hambanati,  from  whence  visits  could  be  easily 
made,  he  made  no  objection. 

Allusion  was  next  made  to  the  grant  of  territory, 
as  a ground  for  the  present  request,  that  a portion 
of  the  country  might  be  secured  to  Gardiner.  At 
first  the  crafty  chieftain  appeared  disposed  to  forget 
that  he  had  promised  anything,  but  at  length  gave 
his  consent  on  condition  that  the  terms  of  treaty 
should  be  faithfully  kept.  This  Gardiner  promised 
should  be  done  in  strict  justice,  but  on  proposing 


80 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


that  a document,  fixing  a definite  boundary,  should 
be  drawn  up,  to  which  Dingarn  should  affix  his  mark, 
the  chief  deferred  this  transaction  until  his  Indunas 
should  return.  He  dictated  a letter  in  the  mean- 
time to  the  King  of  England,  giving  to  him,  but  in  a 
very  indefinite  manner,  the  territory  occupied  by 
Faku,  the  chief  of  the  Amapondas,  of  whom  he  was 
evidently  jealous,  as  he  was  known  to  be  favourable 
to  the  English.  The  same  feeling  extended  to  the 
people  of  Port  Natal,  and  therefore  Dingarn  did 
not  disguise  his  intention  of  advancing  his  people 
nearer  to  the  object  of  his  jealousy,  and  for  this 
purpose  to  occupy  part  of  the  territory  granted  to 
Captain  Gardiner.  The  position  of  the  latter  was 
one  requiring  great  circumspection  ; but  glad  that 
Dingarn  had  consented  to  his  settling  on  the  Um- 
tongata,  he  took  up  his  residence  there. 

As  he  returned,  he  visited  two  American  mission- 
aries ; these  were  only  permitted  to  enter  the  terri- 
tory in  consequence  of  the  agreement  between  Cap- 
tain Gardiner  and  Dingarn.  Sunday  was  spent  at 
their  station,  when  Mr.  Champion  addressed  about 
ninety  natives  in  their  own  language. 

The  buildings  at  Hambanati  proceeded ; and  an 
attempt  was  made  to  pay  the  natives  for  their  work 
on  the  system  of  barter.  They  were  to  receive 
blankets,  kilts,  etc.,  for  so  many  days’  work.  But 
murmurs  of  dissatisfaction,  by  no  means  pleasant  to 
hear,  arose ; not  on  account  of  the  work,  but  to  the 
establishment  of  a system  of  payment.  They  were 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


81 


ready  to  work  when  required ; all  they  wanted  for 
it  was  an  occasional  present  from  their  chief.  “ For 
what,”  said  they,  “ would  the  Zulus  think  when 
they  heard  they  had  been  buying  from  their  chief?” 
On  a second  visit  of  Captain  Gardiner  to  Din- 
garn,  Mr.  Owen  accompanied  him.  They  found 
the  chief  at  Unkunginglove ; presents  were  made, 
and  fireworks  exhibited,  which  excited  great  interest 
and  promoted  good  humour. 

Mr.  Owen,  who  had  heard  much  of  the  savage 
cruelty  of  Dingarn,  could  not  realize  the  character 
given  of  him,  in  the  individual  before  him.  “ There 
was  nothing  sanguinary  in  his  appearance,”  he  says, 
“ and  I could  hardly  believe  that  those  hands  had 
been  so  often  imbrued  in  blood.” 

On  Sunday,  when  Mr.  Owen  sent  to  request  per- 
mission of  Dingarn  to  preach  to  the  people,  he  de- 
sired him  to  come  to  the  Issigordlo,  or  king’s  house. 
There,  then,  was  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  preached 
in  the  presence  of  a fierce  Zulu  chief.  Dingarn 
listened  with  great  attention,  and  an  incredulous 
smile  occasionally  showed  that  he  comprehended 
what  he  heard.  He  asked  many  questions.  Mr. 
Owen  spoke  of  the  resurrection  of  the  Saviour,  and 
the  future  resurrection  of  mankind.  “ Why  do 
they  not  get  up  now?”  he  inquired.  Mr.  Owen’s 
apt  reply  was,  “ Because  God  hath  appointed  the 
day.  But  now  he  hath  commanded  all  men,  every- 
where, to  repent.”  “ How  can  they  get  up  again?” 
“ Will  they  have  the  same  body  ?”  “Will  they  see 


82 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


each  other?”  “Will  they  know  their  friends?” 
“ Will  it  be  Sunday  when  they  get  up  ?”  “ When 

will  the  last  day  come  ?”  etc.  These  questions 
having  been  answered  chiefly  in  Scriptural  language, 
the  missionaries  retired  to  their  hut,  and  in  the 
afternoon  held  a service  for  their  own  company. 

Their  presence  on  the  next  day  was  required  by 
Dingarn.  After  an  examination  of  the  fireworks 
and  presents  of  Mr.  Owen,  the  chief  consented 
that  a hut  similar  to  the  one  built  for  him  at  Un- 
kunginglove  should  be  built  at  Congella.  Although 
an  address  was  desired  in  presence  of  the  assembled 
people,  and  in  the  same  words  used  on  the  previous  day, 
little  attention  was  paid.  As  in  civilized  countries, 
a smart  bonnet  or  a shabby  coat  often  attracts  the 
attention  from  prayers  or  the  sermon,  so  in  the  Zulu 
country,  a poor  blind  man,  who  was  present,  excited 
the  ridicule  and  attracted  the  observation  of  the 
whole  audience.  Captain  Gardiner  says,  “Accord- 
ing to  the  eye  of  sense  it  was  a most  discouraging 
commencement,  but  He,  who  can  make  the  weak 
things  of  the  earth  to  confound  the  strong,  can  and 
will  in  his  own  time  manifest  his  love  and  truth  to 
those  who  are  now  sitting  in  darkness  and  the 
shadow  of  death.” 

Dingarn  had  erected  a hut  for  Mr.  Owen  on  a 
hill  two  miles  from  the  town.  On  their  return 
journey  they  chose  a site  for  another  mission  hut 
at  Congella.  Near  the  Tugala,  an  immense  flight 
of  locusts,  coming  from  the  north,  appeared  at  first 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


83 


like  a mist,  partially  covering  the  mountain  tops, 
but  in  a very  short  time  the  whole  atmosphere  was, 
as  it  were,  charged  with  them,  some  settling,  others 
rapidly  passing  in  myriads  overhead.  In  a few 
seconds  the  trees  were  so  covered  Avith  them  that 
they  appeared  as  if  divested  of  all  their  leaves,  the 
beautiful  green  of  the  mimosa  being  changed  to  a 
deep  russet  brown.  They  appeared  to  be  merely 
resting  for  a time,  as  on  examination  of  some  of  the 
trees  on  which  they  had  remained  the  longest,  it 
was  found  that  the  leaves  had  not  been  eaten. 

Another  journey  had  now  to  be  made  to  the  Zulu 
chief,  in  consequence  of  a message  from  him,  that 
his  army  was  returned,  and  he  wished  Gardiner  to 
come  and  see  it. 

We  must  pass  over  the  particular  detail  of  this 
review,  but  as  the  whole  led  to  an  affair  of  political 
importance  we  mention  a leading  incident.  The 
Zulus  on  entering  the  country  of  their  enemy, 
Moselekatse,  captured  a few  prisoners  whom  they 
took  for  guides.  After  a severe  skirmish  with  a 
small  body  of  men  posted  among  some  rocks,  they 
advanced  till  they  encountered  the  main  body  of  their 
foes,  and  gained  a decisive  victory  over  them,  as  was 
evident  from  the  amount  of  cattle  brought  home, 
numbering  six  thousand  head,  two  thousand  having 
died  or  strayed  by  the  wray.  But  the  conquest  cost 
them  the  lives  of  one  thousand  men. 

They  had  found  a pistol,  wrhich  gave  the  Induna 
Umthlella  an  opportunity  of  professing  a great 


84 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


contempt  for  fire-arms.  “ What  are  guns  for  ?” 
said  he  ; “ we  need  not  be  afraid  of  them — guns  are 
nothing — they  only  make  a noise  and  do  no  harm.” 
This  was  their  boastful  story ; but  an  inspection  of 
the  captured  cattle  gave  some  uneasiness  to  Captain 
Gardiner,  for  the  usual  mark  of  the  Dutch  Boers 
was  visible  on  many  of  the  animals.  They  might 
have  taken  them  from  Moselekatse’s  people,  but  it 
was  also  likely  that  they  would  not  scruple  at  taking 
them  wherever  they  could  be  found.  It  afterwards 
appeared  that  the  Zulus  had  actually  murdered,  for 
the  sake  of  their  guns,  four  Dutchmen  whom  they 
found  in  a tent  at  some  distance  from  their  country- 
men. 

The  review  of  the  troops  and  narrative  of  the 
exploit  at  last  ended,  but  other  ceremonies  following, 
the  patience  of  Gardiner  was  severely  tried  by  the 
delay  to  settle  the  boundary  question.  The  tri- 
umphal dances  at  length  were  over.  Dingarn  was 
now  ready  to  listen ; he  and  his  Indunas  wanted 
more  presents,  but  Gardiner  positively  refused  to 
give  any  more.  Dingarn  and  the  Indunas  retired, 
and  after  a short  interval  Gardiner  also  returned  to 
his  hut.  This  had  not  been  expected,  and  a mes- 
sage was  therefore  sent  to  know  if  he  intended  to 
go  away  without  taking  leave ; another  interview 
was,  therefore,  necessary,  which  ended  in  a friendly, 
but  still  unsatisfactory  manner ; and  on  the  same 
day  Gardiner  set  out  for  home. 

But  we  must  now  accompany  the  Owens  to  Un- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


85 


kunginglove.  Their  journey  from  Hambanati  thither 
lasted  twenty  days,  and  was  accomplished  in  wagons, 
in  a country  without  roads.  They  visited  the  Ameri- 
can missionaries  in  the  Clomanthleen  district,  and  de- 
rived great  encouragement  from  the  fact  that  these 
missionaries  had  been  allowed  to  remain  there  for 
eighteen  months,  and  in  that  time  had  been  able  to 
acquire  a considerable  knowledge  of  the  language. 
Mr.  Owen  made  a point  of  inviting  the  natives  to 
attend  the  services  each  Sunday.  Seated  on  the 
ground,  in  order  to  render  his  discourse  more  fa- 
miliar, he  on  one  occasion  taught  a group  of  fifteen 
men.  They  were  attentive,  continually  asking  ques- 
tions, not  of  the  preacher,  however,  but  of  them- 
selves. One  old  man,  however,  once  desired  them 
to  be  quiet  and  listen ; but  another  told  Mr.  Owen 
that  he  talked  first  about  one  thing  and  then  about 
another,  so  that  they  could  not  understand.  On 
another  Sunday,  an  Induna  collected  his  people  and 
brought  them  to  the  service.  A conversational  ser- 
mon was  given  them.  The  Induna  asked  some 
pointed  questions  ; “ Whether  Jesus  Christ  had  sent 
the  preacher  to  them?”  Mr.  Owen  replied,  “that 
he  had  felt  him  in  his  heart,  and  that  he  knew  his 
coming  to  teach  them  was  pleasing  to  him.”  He 
further  said,  “ that  Jesus  Christ  had  not  spoken  to 
my  outward  ear,  but  he  had  spoken  to  my  heart.” 
The  Induna  then  said,  “ that  he  supposed  that  it 
would  please  Jesus  Christ  if  they  came  to  hear  his 
8 


86 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


■words.”  “ Most  assuredly,”  was  the  reply,  “but 
still  more  if  they  believed  and  practised  them.” 

Dingarn  also  received  the  missionaries  kindly, 
and  with  his  Indunas  was  very  inquisitive  on  a va- 
riety of  subjects. 

Missionary  operations  commenced  with  the  at- 
tempt to  teach  the  Zulu  children  to  read ; they 
came  to  school  by  the  order  of  the  despot  himself, 
and  showed  great  tractabilitv,  as  well  as  quickness 
in  acquiring  the  first  rudiments  of  knowledge. 
After  teaching  them  the  letters  from  a card,  Mr. 
Owen  bade  them  kneel  down  and  be  as  silent  as 
possible.  “He  would  now,”  he  said,  “teach  them 
how  to  pray  to  God ; and  whilst  doing  so,  it  would 
be  wrong  to  look  about  idly,  or  play,  or  talk.”  He 
then  bade  them  repeat,  after  the  interpreter,  the 
Lord’s  prayer,  which  they  did  with  the  greatest 
gravity  and  quietness,  showing  an  example  that 
would  shame  many  children  in  Christian  lands. 

Mr.  Owen  was  not  only  busied  with  this  anxious 
labour  of  Christian  love ; he  endeavoured  also  to 
reach  the  heart  of  the  fierce  Dingarn,  by  reasoning 
with  him,  and  inducing  him  to  attend  the  Sunday 
services.  “ I have  come,”  he  said,  “ from  the  other 
side  of  the  sea,  to  teach  the  people  God’s  word. 
God’s  word  commands  people  to  be  obedient  to 
Kings  and  Indunas ; and  makes  those  who  obey  it 
good  in  every  respect.”  “But,”  said  Dingarn, 
“ has  God  said  that  Kings  and  Indunas  ought  to 
learn  his  word?”  “Certainly,”  was  the  reply; 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


87 


“small  and  great,  all  are  to  learn  it.”  But  to  the 
request  that  he,  and  his  people,  and  Indunas  would 
come  and  be  taught,  there  was  but . one  reply. 
“ Speak  to  my  Indunas.  I can  do  nothing  with 
them.”  Umthlella  was  therefore  spoken  to,  but  he 
could  do  nothing  without  Tambuza,  and  Tambuza 
was  sick.  Still  matters  were  progressing  favour- 
ably. Very  interesting  conversations  were  entered 
into  by  a few  inquiring  natives,  who  soon  became 
familiar  with  the  name  of  Christ.  But  before  any 
results  could  be  perceived,  an  unseen  cloud  was 
gathering  over  not  only  the  mission,  but  Dingarn 
and  all  his  tribe. 

Sixteen  days  had  hardly  passed  since  Mr.  Owen’s 
location  at  Unkunkinglove,  before  he  was  summoned 
to  read  to  Dingarn  a letter  which  he  had  received 
from  the  emigrant  Dutch  Boers,  who,  having  be- 
come dissatisfied  with  the  English  government,  de- 
termined to  emigrate  northward,  and,  passing  the 
British  boundary,  settle  on  some  unoccupied  land, 
and  live  under  their  own  laws.  They  expressed 
their  desire  for  peace  and  good  understanding  with 
the  Zulus,  but  requested  an  assignment  of  unoccu- 
pied land  within  Dingarn’s  territory  to  be  made 
over  to  them. 

No  effect  resulted  from  this  first  despatch.  The 
school  continued.  Dingarn  himself  learned  to  read 
the  words  which  were  written  on  the  children’s  cards, 
and  paid  so  much  outward  respect  for  the  Sabbath, 
that  he  never  sent  for  Mr.  Owen  on  that  day. 


88 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


At  length  a detachment  of  the  Boers,  under  the 
command  of  Mr.  Retief,  arrived.  The  result  of 
this  visit  was  to  alarm  Dingarn.  Their  guns,  their 
horses,  their  bold  bearing,  discovered  to  him  a power 
he  both  envied  and  feared.  The  ferocious  chief 
showed  them  a war  dance,  and  asked  for  a similar 
exhibition  in  return.  They  told  him  they  would 
show  him  “ how  the  Boers  danced  on  horseback 
and  when  his  visitors  proceeded  to  go  through  the 
evolutions  of  a sham  fight,  the  “ dance  on  horse- 
back” both  amazed  and  alarmed  him.  For  the 
present,  however,  he  dissembled,  and  gave  a general 
consent  to  their  proposal  to  settle  in  his  neighbour- 
hood ; but  even  then  the  deep  cunning  of  the  subtle 
savage  was  planning  the  doom  of  his  unconscious 
victims.  The  Boers  departed  ; the  work  of  teaching 
went  on,  but  it  struck  Mr.  Owen  that  Dingarn’s 
manner  was  altered.  He  now  wanted  teachers  of 
the  use  of  fire-arms,  but  not  of  God’s  word.  He 
still  allowed  the  Sunday  preaching  to  go  on,  but 
the  sermon  passed  into  a cavilling  dispute  on  the 
part  of  the  chief  and  his  Indunas.  One  of  the 
American  missionaries  came  to  visit  the  station,  and 
Mr.  Owen  returned  with  him,  and  remained  absent 
for  a week.  Letters  had,  during  this  time,  been  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Retief.  He  was  employed  to  read 
them,  but  was  not  informed  of  any  of  Dingarn’s  in- 
tentions. He  was  not  uneasy,  and  went  on  quietly 
fulfilling  the  duties  of  his  mission,  when  one  day  he 
was  startled  from  his  security  by  the  arrival  of  two 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


89 


messengers  from  Capt.  Gardiner,  urging  him  to  be 
on  his  guard,  as  he  had  observed  symptoms  of 
treachery  on  the  part  of  Dingarn,  which  might  in- 
volve the  safety  of  all  the  missionaries;  and  con- 
cluded by  an  offer  of  his  own  station  as  an  asylum 
to  all,  if  they  should  think  it  right  to  leave  the 
Zulu  country  for  a time. 

Having  now  brought  our  narrative  to  the  eve  of 
the  bursting  of  the  storm,  which  swept  away  the 
Zulu  mission,  we  must  go  back  to  view  Capt.  Gar- 
diner’s rising  settlement  at  Hambanati. 

A beautiful  spot  had  been  selected  for  the  loca- 
tion of  the  new  tribe,  at  an  equal  distance  between 
Port  Natal  and  the  Tugala.  The  tent  of  the  Gar- 
diners had  been  exchanged  for  a thatched  house. 
A rising  ground,  on  which  the  huts  of  the  natives 
now  formed  a village,  was  about  a mile  from  the 
sea,  and  looked  down  on  the  river,  winding  among  the 
hills  and  forest  wood.  Beautiful  glens,  which  invited 
to  retirement;  trees  standing  in  individual  beauty  or 
forming  umbrageous  woods  ; the  steep  banks  of  the 
Umtongata,  fringed  with  an  infinite  variety  of  bushes 
occasionally  hiding  the  course  of  the  stream,  pre- 
sented a most  beautiful  combination  of  rich  and 
varied  scenery  and  tints  of  all  colours.  It  was 
beautiful  to  behold.  The  unpretending  house  upon 
the  hill,  surrounded  by  a few  huts,  a primitive  Zulu 
village  on  another  hill,  with  Indian  corn  waving  in 
all  directions,  an  open  sea  view  on  the  eastern  side  ; 
in  a northerly  direction  a steep  hill  arose  from  which 


90 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  whole  coast  was  visible  as  far  as  Port  Natal,  the 
point  of  which  appeared  to  be  nearly  opposite, 
stretching  far  out  into  the  sea. 

This  was  Ilambanati,  which  had  advanced  so 
rapidly  from  nature’s  wildness,  that  it  seemed  almost 
to  have  been  a work  of  magic.  The  moral  improve- 
ment was  scarcely  less  rapid.  The  clothed  tribe 
were  increasing  in  numbers,  and  the  men  were  faith- 
ful and  seemed  glad  to  be  instructed.  Captain  Gar- 
diner, wishing  to  send  a letter  to  Bunting  (a  distance 
of  one  hundred  miles),  first  asked  one  of  them  if 
he  were  afraid  to  go  through  a country  belonging  to 
other  tribes.  The  native,  pointing  to  the  country 
of  the  greatest  enemy  of  the  Zulus,  replied,  “ If  you 
send  me  to  Moselekatse,  I will  go.” 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  promise  of  this  opening 
missionary  establishment.  The  Scriptures  were 
read,  interpreted,  and  explained  to  those  rude  child- 
ren of  nature  on  every  alternate  morning ; and  on 
the  succeeding  one  they  were  questioned  upon  the 
lesson.  They  were  quite  ready  also  to  ask  intelligent 
questions.  During  the  day  they  were  all  occupied 
in  different  kinds  of  work,  fencing,  planting,  and 
building.  On  Sunday  the  school  was  crowded ; the 
men  and  women  were  instructed  by  questions  and 
answers;  the  children  were  taught  from  Watts’s 
Catechism  in  Zulu.  Some  of  the  girls  learned  to 
sew  neatly,  and  became  useful  in  domestic  occupa- 
tions. 

Thus  seven  months  passed  peacefully  over  at 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


01 


Hambanati ; but  tbe  calm  current  was  now  to  be 
interrupted.  The  year  1838  commenced  amid  great 
hopes  for  tbe  future ; the  missionary  pioneers  were 
to  be  joined  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilewetson,  sent  out 
by  the  Church  Missionary  Society;  but  these  hope- 
ful prospects  were  destroyed  by  the  irruption  of  the 
Dutch  Boers. 

We  have  already  seen  the  threatening  aspect  of 
affairs,  when  the  first  detachment  of  Boers  under 
Retief,  demanded  a tract  of  country  from  Dingarn. 
The  Zulu  chief  feigned  compliance  with  their  re- 
quest, and  presented  them  with  the  tract  he  had 
formerly  given  to  Lieutenant  Farewell,  and  after- 
wards to  Captain  Gardiner,  but  only  on  condition 
of  their  recovering  some  cattle  which  had  been  car- 
ried off  by  the  neighbouring  tribe  of  Moselekatse. 
Retief  consented,  and  the  cattle  were  brought  back 
and  the  requested  territory  was  given.  The  same 
ceremonies  had  on  a former  occasion  were  repeated. 
Refreshments  were  offered  to  the  Boers,  and  during 
the  performance  of  a war  dance,  the  unsuspecting 
witnesses  were  gradually  surrounded  by  a large 
circle  formed  by  the  whole  body  of  Zulus.  Wheel- 
ing slowly  and  remorselessly  round  them,  the  circle 
narrowed,  when,  on  a preconcerted  signal,  a rush 
was  made,  the  trusting  Dutch  were  seized,  dragged 
out,  and  dispatched  on  the  spot. 

So  suddenly  was  this  horrible  deed  performed, 
that,  until  the  moment  of  the  massacre,  Mr.  Owen 
had  not  even  a suspicion  of  any  foul  play.  Retief 


92 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


had  breakfasted  with  him  and  had  spoken  highly  of 
Dingarn.  The  first  notice  he  received  of  this  black 
treachery,  was  from  the  chief  himself,  who  sent  him 
a message,  “ not  to  fear.  He  had  killed  the  Boers 
because  they  had  plotted  against  him,  but  he  would 
not  hurt  Mr.  Owen.”  There  was  little  confidence 
to  be  placed  in  this  assurance ; but  having  with  his 
family  passed  a day  of  fearful  uncertainty,  they 
found  comfort  in  their  evening  worship,  by  reading 
the  ninety-first  Psalm:  “A  thousand  shall  fall  be- 
side thee  ; and  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand ; but 
it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.”  As  they  witnessed 
large  bodies  of  Dingarn’s  army  move  rapidly  in  the 
direction  of  the  Tugala,  they  had  little  doubt  but 
that  another  massacre  was  intended.  The  sup- 
position was  only  too  true ; the  Zulus  rushed  like 
a whirlwind  on  the  camp  of  the  Dutch  emigrants, 
and  killed  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
women,  and  children. 

As  it  was  now  certain  that  no  trust  could  be 
placed  on  Dingarn’s  word,  the  Owens  left  Unkung- 
inglove,  and  after  a toilsome  journey  reached  Ham- 
banati.  Spending  one  night  only  with  the  Gardi- 
ners, they  resumed,  on  the  following  day,  .their 
journey  to  Port  Natal,  where  they  arrived  just  in 
time  to  receive  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilewetson  on  their 
landing. 

The  Gardiners  remained  one  week  longer  to  watch 
the  progress  of  events.  But  when  the  inhabitants 
of  Natal  determined  to  join  the  Dutch  in  an  ex- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


93 


terminating  war  against  the  Zulus,  they  took  their 
leave  of  Hambanati,  sorrowful  hut  resigned.  Be- 
fore he  left,  however,  Captain  Gardiner  called  his 
people  together,  and  promised  to  use  his  utmost  en- 
deavours to  find  another  country  where  they  might 
settle  in  peace  ; provided  they,  on  their  side,  would 
promise  to  take  no  part  in  the  ensuing  war.  They 
promised,  but  the  love  of  plunder  and  adventure 
caused  one  after  another  to  join  in  the  conflict ; 
many  lost  their  lives,  and  all  lost  their  name  as  a 
tribe.  One  only  remained  faithful  to  his  word. 
This  was  Umpondombeni,  the  first  Zulu  who  became 
servant  to  Captain  Gardiner.  He  attended  him  in 
each  of  his  earlier  visits  to  Dingarn,  and  welcomed 
him  on  the  beach  at  Natal  on  his  return  from  Eng- 
land. More  recently  we  are  told  of  his  baptism 
and  conversion  to  Christianity,  as  well  as  of  his  in- 
consolable grief  on  hearing  of  his  master’s  death ; 
proving  that  Gardiner’s  labours  among  the  Zulus 
were  not  altogether  in  vain. 

Umkonto,  another  interesting  character  among 
the  Africans,  was  greatly  attached  to  Gardiner,  and 
paid  great  attention  to  the  religious  instruction 
given  at  Hambanati.  But  he,  too,  went  to  the  war, 
and  was  one  of  the  very  few  who  escaped  with  life. 
Many  years  after,  meeting  with  a gentleman  going 
to  England,  begged  him  say  to  “ Cappan  Garna, 
that  he  promised  to  come  again,  if  his  hair  was  as 
white  as  his  shirt,  and  tell  him  too,  we  are  waiting 
for  him.”  This  message,  as  well  as  a little  calabash 


94 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


■which  he  brought,  and  had  been  used  as  a snuff-box, 
was  accordingly  faithfully  delivered  to  Captain  Gar- 
diner, who,  in  return,  sent  a letter  and  a present  to 
both  these  men,  urging  upon  them  his  earnest  re- 
quest that  they  would  go  to  a missionary  station, 
and  listen  to  the  words  of  the  Bible,  which  would 
make  them  happy  for  ever. 

Seeing  the  course  which  events  ivere  taking, — 
the  Dutch  at  war  with  the  Zulus,  and  his  own  men 
joining  in  the  war, — Captain  Gardiner  determined 
to  conduct  his  family  away  from  the  scene  of  strife. 
They  sailed  for  Algoa  Bay,  with  all  the  American 
missionaries,  except  one,  who  went  to  the  Dutch 
camp. 

Mr.  Owen  and  Mr.  Ilewetson  remained  for  a short 
time  at  Natal,  in  hopes  of  being  able  to  renew  the 
mission  ; but,  with  their  families,  soon  after  followed 
their  friends  to  the  colony. 

Captain  Gardiner  did  not  remain  long  at  Algoa 
Bay.  lie  knew  that  many  English  and  American 
missionaries  would  be  on  the  watch  to  avail  them- 
selves of  the  first  safe  opportunity  to  return  to  Port 
Natal.  He,  the  missionary  pioneer,  considered  that 
many  years,  in  all  likelihood,  must  elapse  before  the 
Zulu  country  could  again  be  open  to  missionaries ; 
and,  altogether  unconscious  of  the  great  exertions 
friends  at  home  were  making  to  support  his  plans  at 
Ilambanati,  he  felt  himself  called  to  leave  South 
Africa  for  ever. 

So  intricate  are  human  affairs  ! In  going  in  ad- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


95 


vance  of  the  colony  to  endeavour  to  plant  a mission 
among  the  Zulus,  Captain  Gardiner  had  succeeded 
beyond  his  hope.  He  had  obtained  a grant  of  land, 
and  permission  for  Zulus  to  assemble  round  him  as 
their  chief,  and  settle  on  that  tract  of  land.  He 
brought  out  his  family,  and  formed  a new  tribe 
around  him,  by  whose  friendly  aid  missionaries 
passed  northward  into  the  very  heart  of  the  Zulu 
country.  Zulu  schools  were  formed,  Zulu  boys 
were  learning  to  read,  and  Zulu  girls  were  being 
taught  the  employments  belonging  to  civilized  life. 

This  was  all  counteracted  by  the  failure  to  settle 
the  old  boundary  question,  which  had  first  led  to  the 
Kafir  war,  in  which  the  Dutch  suffered  so  severely. 
This  it  was  that  induced  the  Boers  to  emigrate 
northward,  and  having  heard  that  Dingarn  had  al- 
ready granted  land  to  Gardiner,  they  determined 
that  either  by  treaty  or  force  he  should  grant  land 
to  them  also.  Then  followed  the  march  of  ten 
thousand  farmers,  the  advance  of  Retief’s  party  of 
one  thousand ; their  recovery  of  Dingarn’s  cattle, 
followed  by  Dingarn’s  treachery  ; war  between  the 
Dutch  and  the  Zulus ; in  the  midst  of  which  the 
Zulu  mission  and  Captain  Gardiner’s  tribe  were 
swept  away. 

For  a time  it  appeared  as  if  the  whole  scheme 
had  been  a failure.  But  Captain  Gardiner  was 
only  a little  in  advance  of  the  day.  No  glimpse  of 
hearty  co-operation  from  home  assisted  him  in  all 


96 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


these  perplexing  circumstances,  which,  as  a mis- 
sionary pioneer,  he  bravely  encountered  alone. 

Twenty  years  have  passed  since  the  events  just 
narrated  have  occurred,  and  great  are  the  changes 
wrought  by  their  passage.  Another  Kafir  war  has 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a safer  frontier. 
Port  Natal  is  made  a colony,  a town  has  been  built 
there,  a church  is  in  progress,  and  large  numbers 
of  English  settlers  have  gone  there.  Many  of  the 
Dutch  have  resumed  their  allegiance,  the  Zulu  power 
is  broken  up,  Dingarn,  who  assassinated  his  elder 
brother  Charka,  has  himself  been  destroyed  by  his 
younger  brother,  Umpanda,  who  has  succeeded  him 
as  chief.  Instead  of  two  thousand,  the  Zulu  re- 
fugees now  number  one  hundred  thousand.  Three  of 
the  American  missionaries  have  returned  to  their 
posts,  and  have  flourishing  stations,  and  a printing 
press.  Wesleyan  missionaries  have  followed,  and 
more  recently  an  English  bishop  with  a staff  of 
clergy. 

Thus,  the  plans  of  man  may  fail,  but  the  Lord 
Omnipotent  reigns,  and  acknowledges  the  smallest 
efforts  which  are  made  in  his  service. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


97 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SOUTH  AMERICA.  1838-1839. 

“Which  now  of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was  neighbour 
unto  him  that  fell  among  the  thieves  ? And  he  said,  He  that 
showed  mercy  on  him.  Then  said  Jesus  unto  him,  Go,  and  do 
thou  likewise. — Luke  x.  36,  37. 

Viewing  his  own  life  as  dedicated  to  those  among 
the  heathen  who  had  been  left  uncared  for  by  other 
Christian  efforts,  Gardiner  now  turned  his  thoughts 
to  South  America,  the  scene  of  his  boyish  travels, 
and  the  continent  which,  from  his  personal  know- 
ledge, he  knew  to  be,  perhaps  more  than  any  other, 
fast  bound  in  the  chains  of  misery  and  iron  bondage. 
The  transient  gleams  of  light,  that  had  occasionally 
broken  in  upon  its  darkness,  had  faded  almost  as 
rapidly  as  they  arose. 

Where  there  was  peace,  popery  was  dominant, 
and  ready  to  crush  out  every  spark  that  might  be 
kindled  by  the  gospel  light.  Where  war  was  going 
forward,  so  strong  a prejudice  against  Europeans 
generally  possessed  the  Indian  mind,  that  there 
seemed  no  hope  of  obtaining  even  a patient  hearing 
from  them. 

9 


98 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


This  was  not  to  be  -wondered  at.  All  -who  have 
read  the  story  of  the  mighty  struggle  by  which  the 
conquest  of  Peru  and  Chili  was  effected,  must  abhor 
the  treachery  of  the  conquerors,  and  sympathize 
with  the  victims.  What  has  the  religion  of  Rome, 
as  taught  by  the  conquerors,  done  for  the  brave 
race  whose  allegiance  they  demanded  to  God  and 
the  Pope,  when  they  seized  the  land  and  enslaved 
its  owners  ? The  natives  have  had  continued  cause 
to  say,  in  the  words  of  one  of  Pizarro’s  victims, 
“ They  did  not  understand  the  religion  of  the  white 
men.” 

The  fury  with  which  the  early  Portuguese  settlers 
hunted  down  the  natives  for  slaves,  the  severity  with 
which  they  treated  those  whom  they  retained,  and 
the  recklessness  with  which  they  sold  the  re- 
mainder, are  matters  of  history.  The  Jesuits,  in- 
deed, by  a mild  treatment  and  moderate  instruction, 
endeavoured  and  succeeded  in  attracting  the  natives 
in  crowds  to  their  mission  stations ; but  incurring 
the  hatred  of  the  Portuguese  of  the  colony  of  St. 
Paul,  they  were  driven  away,  and  their  settlement 
destroyed. 

The  Jesuits  are  not  easily  baffled.  They  founded 
mission  stations  on  the  rivers  Paraguay  and  Uru- 
guay, which  flourished  there  for  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years.  They  treated  the  natives  with  humanity, 
partly  civilized  and  instructed  them,  taught  them  va- 
rious trades,  but  made  them  thoroughly  dependent  on 
their  teachers  for  subsistence  as  well  as  instruction. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


99 


There  was  always  an  impassable  gulf  between  them. 
The  Jesuit  was  born  and  remained  a superior;  the 
native  was  born  an  inferior,  and  could  never  rise. 
The  Jesuit  occupied  the  throne ; the  native  sat  on 
the  footstool.  Giving  offence  to  the  government  by 
interfering  with  politics,  they  were  banished  from 
Paraguay  in  1767,  by  order  of  Charles  III.,  king  of 
Spain.  Left  without  guides  of  any  kind,  the  In- 
dians relapsed  into  barbarism.  They  were  like 
children  who  had  never  been  taught  to  run  alone ; 
and  were  so  dependent  on  their  masters  that  they 
could  do  nothing  for  themselves. 

All  this  was  known  to  Gardiner,  and  as  he  paced 
the  deck  of  the  schooner,  which  was  carrying  him 
and  his  family  to  Rio  Janeiro,  his  heart  was  filled 
with  compassion  for  the  wronged  red  men  of  the 
South. 

Was  there  a fatality,  he  asked  within  himself, 
by  which  the  bold  South  American  Indians  were  al- 
ways to  be  deprived  of  their  teachers  ? Had  the 
Europeans  nothing  to  give  them  but  war  or  slavery? 
Are  the  sickly  shores  of  the  Essequibo,  and  the 
swamps  of  British  Guayana,  the  only  spots  open  to 
Protestant  missions  ? Are  no  other  efforts  to  be 
made  to  carry  the  message  of  an  offered  pardon  to 
the  innumerable  natives  of  the  other  parts  of  the 
South  American  continent  ? Will  no  one  try  to 
speak  a kindly  word  to  them  for  Christ’s  sake  ? 
Will  no  one  explore  the  way  to  those  heathen  tribes 
who  are  being  left  in  darkness  and  heathenism,  to 


100 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


grow  daily  more  savage  and  fierce  ? The  answer 
of  his  benevolent  heart,  to  these  communings,  may 
be  easily  imagined.  He  determined  to  shun  no  toil, 
to  shrink  from  no  danger,  in  his  persevering  efforts 
to  obtain  a channel  for  the  living  waters,  in  this 
arid  spiritual  desert.  What  was  peril,  fatigue,  pri- 
vation, in  comparison  with  effecting  the  cause  that 
lay  nearest  his  heart — namely — to  break  the  bread 
of  life  to  the  perishing  heathen  of  South  America? 

After  a detention  of  three  weeks  at  Rio,  Captain 
Gardiner  embarked  with  his  family  for  Monte  Video, 
from  whence  they  went  to  Buenos  Ayres,  where 
they  found  the  port  blockaded  by  a squadron  of 
French  ships.  The  packet  was,  however,  allowed 
to  enter.  The  usual  mode  of  landing  here,  is  to  be 
transferred  from  a ship  to  a boat,  and  from  the  boat 
to  a cart,  which  has  been  driven  into  the  water.  In 
this  cart  the  passengers  and  baggage  are  conveyed 
with  many  a jerk  to  the  shore,  and  deposited  on 
the  beach.  A few  peons  were  soon  found  to  carry 
the  bags,  and  the  family  followed  them  on  foot. 
They  had  not  long  been  in  comfortable  quarters, 
which  he  had  much  difficulty  to  obtain,  before  a 
pampero,  or  sweeping  wind  from  the  Pampas,  set  in, 
with  torrents  of  rain.  These  pamperos  generally 
last  about  three  days,  and  during  this  time  the  city 
appears  like  a scene  of  desolation.  The  neighbour- 
ing district  being  low,  it  soon  becomes  a swamp, 
when,  with  water  below  and  wind  above,  neither 
men  nor  beasts  can  keep  their  feet ; even  the  milk- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


101 


sellers  and  market  people  do  not  enter  the  city  at 
such  times.  The  effect  is,  nevertheless,  refreshing; 
for,  when  the  clouds  recede,  all  nature  smiles,  the 
country  traders  come  in,  the  city  pours  forth  its 
tide  of  busy  life,  and  the  ground  becomes  dry  with 
marvellous  rapidity. 

The  Gardiners  received  much  kindness  from  se- 
veral of  their  countrj^men  ; but,  becoming  acquainted 
with  the  British  chaplain  and  his  family,  spent  the 
last  week  of  their  stay  with  them.  The  Rev.  John 
Armstrong  had  been  several  years  resident  at 
Buenos  Ayres  and  entered  heartily  into  all  Captain 
Gardiner’s  plans  and  projects.  He  considered  the 
Spanish  Americans  to  be  a fine  race  of  people,  who 
only  wanted  the  advantage  of  a settled  government 
and  a pure  religion.  For  the  Indians  of  the  Pam- 
pas, nothing  could  be  done  in  this  quarter  ; there 
was  no  access  to  them  from  Buenos  Ayres,  while 
the  present  exterminating  system  of  warfare  con- 
tinued. On  one  occasion  eighty  Indians  wero 
brought  captive  into  the  city,  and  by  the  order  of 
General  Rosas,  shot  by  tens  in  the  market  place. 

The  vast  tribes  of  Indians  to  the  northward  were 
reported  to  live  more  peaceably,  cultivating  the 
ground  and  weaving  their  own  cloth.  Most  of  these, 
it^vas  said,  spoke  the  Guayrani,  a language  which 
had  been  reduced  to  writing  by  the  Jesuits,  and 
called  by  them,  “ La  lingua  general,”  from  its  being 
spoken  over  such  an  extent  of  country. 

Captain  Gardiner  decided  on  an  immediate  jour- 
9 * 


102 


SELF-SACKIFICE,  OR  THE 


ney  to  Mendoza  with  the  intention  of  proceeding 
thence  to  the  Indians  of  Chili,  although  told  that 
to  cross  the  mountains  at  this  season  of  the  year 
was  impracticable.  He  thought,  however,  he  should 
make  better  progress  in  Spanish  where  there  were 
few  opportunities  of  speaking  English,  and  be  better 
able  to  prosecute  his  inquiries  into  the  state  of  the 
Indians  on  the  frontier. 

On  the  10th  of  August,  therefore,  he  took  pas- 
sage in  a galera,  or  kind  of  Buenos  Ayrean  omni- 
bus, packed  with  portmanteaus  and  cases,  drawn  by 
five  mounted  horses,  and  with  a courier  in  advance, 
took  the  direction  of  the  Pampas.  The  passengers, 
four  in  number,  carried  with  them  such  things  as 
are  necessary  for  cooking,  and  mattrasses  for  sleep- 
ing, in  the  galera.  The  roads  were  bad,  but  the 
horses  were  swift  and  powerful.  As  they  approached 
Luxan,  the  rain  came  down  in  torrents,  and  the  ga- 
lera was,  by  no  means,  water-tight.  But  travellers 
become  fertile  in  expedients.  Captain  Gardiner 
drilled  holes  in  the  floor  of  the  galera,  and  let  the 
water  run  off. 

Bapid  travelling  is,  indeed,  necessary  across  the 
Pampas,  for  fear  of  attacks  from  the  mounted  In- 
dians who  often  appear  in  the  distance,  like  a herd 
of  wild  horses.  Lying  in  an  almost  horizontal  po- 
sition, they  cannot  be  distinguished  from  the  animals 
to  which  they  cling,  until,  on  approaching  the  object 
of  attack,  they  suddenly  leap  upright.  It  may 
then  easily  be  imagined  with  what  interest  the  tra- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEUIA. 


103 


veller  would  eye  every  moving  speck  in  the  distance 
on  these  never-ending  plains,  and  how  the  peons 
would  quicken  the  pace  of  their  horses,  as  they 
passed  over  the  more  dangerous  portions  of  the  road. 
The  poor  hovels  of  post-houses,  with  their  unswept 
earth  floors  and  scanty,  ill-kept  furniture,  offered 
small  temptation  for  the  travellers  to  linger ; hut, 
in  this  fine  climate,  they  found  this  to  be  an  incon- 
venience only  at  night.  Many  of  these  post-houses 
are  surrounded  with  a deep  trench,  and  an  interior 
hedge  of  cactus  ; this,  being  doubled,  constitutes  an 
impregnable  defence  in  Indian  warfare  ; the  Gardi- 
ners, however,  were  much  surprised  to  find  many  of 
these  post-houses  entirely  destitute  of  any  fence  or 
protection.  Between  Repusa  and  the  Desaguadero, 
the  first  view  of  the  Cordilleras  was  obtained,  as 
they  hid  their  snowy  summits  in  the  clouds.  The 
river  was  passed  with  some  difficulty,  the  principal 
contents  of  the  galera  were  ferried  over  on  a raft, 
floated  by  six  empty  casks ; the  galera  itself  being 
dragged  through  the  river  by  the  half-scrambling, 
half-swimming  horses.  In  fourteen  days,  not  in- 
cluding Sundays,  they  had  passed  over  nine  hundred 
miles  of  Pampas,  and  found  themselves  comfortably 
settled  in  the  country-house  of  General  Aldao, 
within  two  miles  of  Mendoza,  where  they  were  hos- 
pitably allowed  to  remain,  until  the  proper  time  for 
crossing  the  Cordillera. 

The  result  of  all  Captain  Gardiner’s  inquiries 
soon  showed  the  hopelessness  of  any  attempt  to 


104 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


visit  the  Indians  from  thence.  Five  years  previous, 
a combined  force  had  taken  the  field  against  some 
turbulent  tribes,  and  all  the  prisoners  taken  were 
shot.  This  barbarity  became  the  established  pre- 
cedent. Many  among  the  white  population,  although 
professing  to  abhor  cruelty,  found  it  hard  to  believe 
“ that  God  has  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men 
for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,”  so  our  in- 
defatigable pioneer  found  not  one  to  bid  him  “ God 
speed,”  in  the  work  on  which  his  heart  was  set. 

In  Mendoza  the  Bible  is  not  prohibited  by  law, 
but  is  generally  discountenanced  by  the  priests. 
One  of  the  principal  booksellers  agreed  to  place 
some  Bibles  and  Testaments,  which  Gardiner  sup- 
plied him  with,  in  his  shop,  but  he  returned  them 
in  a few  days,  declaring  they  were  unsaleable. 

Gratuitous  distribution  was  now  resorted  to,  and 
the  house  was  besieged  with  applicants.  One  morn- 
ing before  breakfast,  twenty-two  women  and  chil- 
dren came  to  ask  for  Bibles.  The  stock  was  soon 
exhausted,  though  no  one  received  a book  without 
being  required  to  read  a verse  to  prove  his  ability 
to  do  so. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  our  friends  left  Mendoza 
to  begin  their  difficult  journey  across  the  Cordillera. 
A long  cavalcade  of  mules  and  horses,  with  a suffi- 
cient number  of  arrieros,  carried  the  travellers  and 
their  baggage.  The  children  travelled  in  panniers, 
newly  invented  for  the  occasion,  instead  of  being 
seated,  as  was  the  ordinary  mode,  on  a pillow  in 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


105 


front  of  a mounted  peon.  After  a fatiguing  ride 
through  a rocky  and  broken  country,  almost  com- 
pensated for  by  scenes  of  wild,  melancholy  gran- 
deur, they  found  a most  acceptable  resting-place  at 
Uzpallata,  in  the  last  inhabited  house  on  the  Men- 
doza side  of  the  mountains,  where  they  spent  the 
Sabbath.  On  the  fourth  day,  they  reached  the 
“ Bad  Pass,”  which  all  travellers  represent  as  re- 
quiring great  steadiness  and  some  nerve  to  venture 
over,  as  the  stones  are  loosened  by  the  pressure  of 
each  footstep,  and  roll  down  into  the  stream  which 
roars  below.  The  next  day  they  reached  the 
“ Inca’s  bridge,”  which  consists  of  a natural  arch 
with  a span  of  eighty  or  ninety  feet,  formed  by  a 
sulphureous  spring. 

Steeper  and  steeper  became  the  toilsome  path  as 
the  cavalcade  approach  the  Cumbre.  The  tired 
horses  could  hardly  move  along  without  their  bur- 
dens, therefore  all  the  party  wralked  except  the  chil- 
dren. But  all  fatigue  was  forgotten  when  they 
reached  the  glorious  summit;  horses,  mules,  and 
men,  all  were  alike  equally  tired,  and,  for  the  mo- 
ment, equally  happy. 

The  grand  sea  of  snow,  which  extended  thirteen 
miles  on  the  Chilian  side  of  the  Cumbre,  was  unno- 
ticed. Captain  and  Mrs.  Gardiner  walked  the  first 
six  miles  to  a rest-house,  where  they  passed  the  night. 
An  impromptu  palanquin  was  contrived  for  the  chil- 
dren. These  rest-houses,  valuable  relics  of  the 
Spanish  rule,  are  formed  “ entirely  of  brick,  with  a 


106 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


coped  roof  of  the  same  material,  supported  by  an 
arch  which  forms  the  ceiling  : they  contain  but  one 
room,  which  is  entered  by  a flight  of  steep  steps, 
the  floors  being  raised  about  six  feet  from  the  foun- 
dation, to  allow  for  the  drifting  of  the  snow  in  win- 
ter.” The  change  in  the  scenery  on  the  descent 
was  marked  and  beautiful,  varied  as  it  was  with 
every  natural  charm.  Silvery  cascades,  broken 
fragments  of  rock,  with  trees  and  shrubs,  pleased 
the  eye ; and  some  signs  of  cultivation,  and  the 
habitations  of  man,  which  appeared  here  and  there, 
poor  as  they  were,  gave  a humanizing  air  to  the 
landscape. 

They  reached  the  foot  of  the  mountains  in  eight 
days  after  leaving  Mendoza.  Three  days  later 
found  them  at  Santiago,  from  which  place  they 
travelled  on  horseback  through  beautiful  valleys, 
bounded  by  the  snowy  Cordillera.  At  night,  the 
accommodation  varied  greatly,  the  travellers  some- 
times resting  in  a noisy  inn,  sometimes  at  a private 
dwelling,  and  sometimes  at  a wretched  kind  of  out- 
house, which  afforded  only  shelter  and  privacy.  At 
Talca  they  spent  the  Sunday  in  a comfortable  inn, 
but  the  incessant  crowing  of  cocks,  and  noise  made 
by  the  cock-fighters  assembled  there,  sent  them  to 
the  neighbouring  common  for  quiet  and  worship. 

Many  chasms  and  cracks  in  the  soil  at  Talca  and 
Chilian  gave  melancholy  evidence  of  the  recent 
earthquake  of  1835,  but  at  Concepcion  the  ruin 
had  been  so  complete  that  three  years  seemed  to 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


107 


have  done  little  towards  restoring  it.  The  wide 
streets  exhibited  many  vacancies ; a row  of  houses, 
then  a ruin,  then  perhaps  a single  house,  while 
churches  still  lay  prostrate,  and  only  showed  their 
former  splendour  by  the  extent  of  ground  which 
their  fragments  covered.  At  the  period  of  that 
awful  earthquake,  not  a house  was  left  standing. 
Yet  the  new  structures  now  rising  were  of  the  same 
material,  brick  only,  with  a framework  of  wood. 
During  the  five  wreeks’  stay  of  the  Gardiners  at 
Concepcion,  they  felt  three  shocks  of  earthquake, 
and  wondered  at  the  temerity  of  the  builders,  who 
continued  their  work,  hoping,  (as  they  said,)  “ that 
the  new  buildings  would  last  their  time.”  But  are 
not  each  and  all  such  instances  but  living  commen- 
taries upon  more  fatal  and  far  less  excusable  pre- 
sumption ? 

From  previous  information,  Captain  Gardiner  an- 
ticipated easy  intercourse  from  this  place  with  the 
independent  Indians.  He  understood  that  the 
Biobio  was  the  boundary  between  the  two  nations, 
and  that  a friendly  understanding  existed  between 
them.  He  had  now  to  learn  the  fallacy  of  his  hopes. 

Leaving  his  family  at  Concepcion,  he  commenced 
his  journey  along  the  banks  of  the  Biobio;  and 
after  four  days  travelling,  arrived  at  San  Carlos, 
one  hundred  miles  from  Concepcion.  A servant 
rode  a second  horse,  and  led  two  others,  which  were 
loaded  with  the  necessary  baggage.  The  current 
of  the  Biobio  is  very  rapid,  and  to  cross  it,  a very 


108 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


primitive  raft  was  constructed,  consisting  of  four 
trunks  of  trees,  lashed  together  by  hide  thongs  to 
two  poles,  one  at  each  end.  When  the  whole  party 
who  were  to  cross  were  balanced  on  this  machine, 
but  one  inch  remained  above  the  surface  of  the 
water.  One  of  Captain  Gardiner’s  horses  was  har- 
nessed to  the  raft  by  knotting  his  tail  with  the  tow 
rope.  A boy  leaped  upon  his  back,  and  grasping 
the  single  lock  of  the  mane  which  is  left  to  grow, 
urged  the  frightened  horse  to  swim  with  the  unusual 
load  in  his  rear. 

After  crossing  two  more  rivers,  they  arrived  at 
Piligen,  where  the  first  person  they  saw  was  Cor- 
balan,  the  chief.  He  was  on  horseback,  and  wore  a 
dark  coloured  poncho.  He  received  them  civilly, 
and  ordered  a sheep  to  be  killed  and  dressed  for 
supper.  The  house  was  of  an  oval  form,  and  about 
thirty-five  feet  long,  with  wattled  side  walls  about 
five  feet  high.  The  floor  was  of  mud,  and  the  roof 
neatly  thatched  with  grass.  The  fire-place  was  in 
the  centre,  and  here  the  supper  was  cooked. 

Corbalan,  being  informed  of  the  motives  of  this 
visit,  namely,  a desire  to  learn  the  language,  and 
teach  his  people  a knowledge  of  the  true  God,  al- 
though he  thought  the  proposal  a strange  one,  made 
no  objection,  but,  after  a little  further  explanation, 
seemed  cordially  to  enter  into  it.  As  he  spoke 
Spanish,  it  was  agreed  he  should  teach  Gardiner 
his  own  language,  and  in  return  be  instructed  in  the 
word  of  God.  He  expressed  great  willingness  to 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


109 


see  the  Book  in  which  God  has  taught  men  respect- 
ing himself,  and  the  way  to  heaven.  “ It  was  good,” 
he  said,  “and  he  should  be  glad.”  When  asked 
what  were  his  ideas  of  the  condition  of  the  soul 
after  the  death  of  the  body,  he  acknowledged  that 
they  were  all  in  ignorance  on  that  point ; some  be- 
lieving that  it  lived  in  another  world,  while  others 
supposed  that  it  ceased  to  exist. 

Notice  had  been  sent  over  night  to  the  neighbour- 
ing chiefs  to  assemble  their  people,  to  welcome  the 
arrival  of  the  white  strangers ; and  in  the  morning 
as  soon  as  Corbalan  and  his  guest  were  mounted, 
the  former  led  the  way  to  the  group  which  was  col- 
lected under  the  trees  near  his  house.  Some 
mounted  their  horses,  others  were  on  foot,  hut  all 
advanced,  and  in  turn  came  up  and  shook  hands. 
Corbalan  apologized  for  the  smallness  of  the  party, 
which  amounted  to  forty-five  men,  saying  that  the 
greater  part  of  his  people  were  absent  in  the  moun- 
tains. Five  inferior  chiefs  were,  however,  among 
them,  two  of  whom,  in  passing,  presented  Gardiner 
with  a boiled  fowl.  He  was  rather  puzzled  to  know 
where  to  bestow  this  unexpected  token  of  their 
friendship ; the  interpreter,  however,  relieved  him 
of  his  dilemma  by  cramming  them  in  his  saddle- 
bags. 

A suitable  present,  some  coloured  cotton  handker- 
chiefs, and  a few  brass  buttons,  were  distributed 
among  the  chiefs,  to  which  some  indigo  and  beads 

10 


110 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


■were  added.  The  gifts  intended  for  Corbalan  had 
been  presented  on  the  preceding  night. 

This  was  but  a transient  vision  of  success ; at 
the  next  meeting  with  Corbalan,  Gardiner  found 
that  his  mind  had  undergone  a great  change. 

On  returning  from  a ride  with  the  friendly  chief, 
Gardiner  pointed  out  a spot  suitable  for  a mission- 
house,  hut  no  sooner  was  the  subject  named,  than 
Corbalan  declared  that,  notwithstanding  what  he 
had  before  said,  he  must  now  withdraw  his  consent. 
The  reasons  which  he  assigned  for  this  unexpected 
refusal,  were,  in  all  probability,  the  result  of  a con- 
ference with  the  chiefs,  and  seemed  sufficiently 
weighty.  Although  desirous  that  Gardiner  should 
remain,  he  said  that  it  would  not  be  safe;  the  IIu- 
illiches,  a large  and  warlike  tribe,  would  be  offended 
if  a foreigner  lived  so  near  them.  As  soon  as  they 
heard  it,  they  would  attack  him,  and  he  should  not 
be  able  to  resist. 

Much  disappointed,  Captain  Gardiner  took  leave 
of  this  spot,  which  had  awakened  a deep  interest  in 
his  devoted  heart,  and  returned  to  Concepcion, 
where  he  remained  only  three  days  before  setting 
out  for  Arauco,  where  he  determined  to  make  an 
attempt  to  conciliate  the  Indians  of  that  district. 
But,  although  hospitably  entertained  by  the  com- 
mandant, he  was  assured  that  there  was  no  likeli- 
hood of  his  being  permitted  to  proceed  into  the  In- 
dian territory ; a French  naturalist,  M.  Gay,  had 
made  the  attempt  very  recently,  and  been  compelled 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


Ill 


to  return.  A chain  of  forts  were  formerly  estab- 
lished from  Concepcion  to  Chiloe,  intended  to  keep 
the  natives  in  check,  and  in  every  fort  missionaries 
were  stationed.  At  one  time  there  were  twenty-five 
of  these  stations,  but  the  Indians  eyed  them  with 
jealousy,  and  hated  the  soldier  without  loving  the 
priest.  But  in  1810,  when  the  Chilians  had  thrown 
off  their  allegiance  to  Spain,  they  made  overtures 
to  the  Indians  for  aid,  and  the  latter  were  not  slow  to 
learn  their  importance,  and  to  wish  for  independence. 
Joining  their  forces  with  those  under  the  command  of 
a renegade  freebooter,  named  Benavides,  they  recov- 
ered so  great  an  amount  of  power,  that  the  Chilians 
discovered  that  the  day  of  their  mastery  was  gone. 
They,  therefore,  adopted  a new  policy,  and  at  the  time 
of  Captain  Gardiner’s  visit  had  established  friendly 
relations  with  many  of  the  frontier  chiefs,  of  whom 
Corbalan  was  one.  Many  of  these  chiefs  received 
presents  and  annual  pay  from  the  government; 
others,  however,  refused  all  overtures,  and  despised 
those  who  had  entered  into  the  pay  of  their  late 
enemies.  Thus  jealousies  and  quarrels  subsisted 
among  themselves,  and  the  frontier  tribes,  who  were 
not  above  receiving  Chilian  pay,  formed  a barrier 
between  Chili  and  the  more  remote  and  powerful 
tribes. 

The  Huilliches  had  refused  to  enter  into  this 
treaty,  and  therefore  it  was  that  Corbalan,  the 
chief  of  a less  powerful  tribe  under  Chilian  influence, 


112 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


dared  not,  for  fear  of  the  Iluilliche  people,  admit 
Captain  Gardiner  for  more  than  a passing  visit. 

Commissaries  were  stationed  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  all  the  friendly  tribes,  to  prevent  or  facilitate 
interviews  with  them,  as  the  case  might  be.  If  a 
stranger  visited  a chief,  the  question  would  be  asked, 
“ Have  you  brought  a pass  from  the  commissary?” 
and  if  he  first  applied  to  a commissary,  it  would 
most  likely  be  inquired,  “What  is  your  business 
with  the  chief?”  Another  hindrance  to  our  mis- 
sionary pioneer’s  advancing  among  the  independent 
tribes,  was  their  keen  recollection  of  the  forts  as 
mission  stations,  and  hatred  of  soldiers  and  priests, 
and  it  was  only  by  the  subtle  policies  of  the  latter, 
that  they  could  ever  obtain  audience  with  the 
chiefs. 

Disappointed,  but  not  discouraged,  from  the  pur- 
suit of  his  great  object,  Gardiner  retraced  his  steps 
to  Concepcion,  and  soon  afterwards  transported  his 
family  to  Valdivia  where,  believing  him  to  be  a 
naturalist,  he  was  called  El  Botanico,  and  birds  and 
insects  were  daily  offered  him  for  sale. 

The  neighbouring  Indians  were  said  to  be  all  free 
and  independent;  but  by  slow  degrees  the  discovery 
was  made  that  this  independence  included  Chilian 
pay  and  Chilian  influence,  except  when  it  assumed 
so  hostile  a bearing  that  no  intercourse  was  tolerated 
but  under  the  most  rigorous  restrictions.  Captain 
Gardiner,  therefore,  after  making  a short  exploring 
journey  alone,  conducted  his  family  to  Quinchilca, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


113 


where  they  were  to  remain  until  he  made  a further 
exploration. 

Although  the  distance  allotted  for  this  day’s  jour- 
ney was  not  more  than  twenty-five  miles,  there  were 
so  many  delays  before  the  animals  were  collected 
and  in  readiness  to  start,  and  the  road  so  difficult, 
that  night  overtook  them;  and  the  guide,  who  owned 
the  whole  cavalcade  of  horses,  declared  it  impracti- 
cable to  proceed  farther.  He  would  not,  therefore, 
listen  to  any  remonstrances,  but  coolly  gave  Gardi- 
ner the  choice  between  an  Indian  house  on  one  side 
of  the  road,  and  an  apple-tree  on  the  other,  as  a 
suitable  halting-place  for  his  family.  The  walls  of 
the  house  were  made  of  squared  trunks  of  trees, 
placed  side  by  side,  and  set  upright  in  the  ground. 
The  summer’s  sun  had  its  usual  effect  upon  the 
wood,  and  chinks  and  open  crevices  obviated  any 
need  for  windows.  Seeing  through  some  of  these 
openings  that  the  house  was  full  of  Indians,  little 
desire  was  felt  to  enter  it.  But  as  there  was  no  al- 
ternative, they  ventured,  and  found  no  reason  to 
regret  the  adventure.  The  buzz  of  conversation 
was  at  once  hushed,  and  a raised  platform  in  one 
corner  was  instantly  vacated  and  offered  to  the 
strangers.  One  by  one,  the  inmates  silently  left 
the  house,  leaving  only  the  women,  who  were  cook- 
ing the  evening  meal,  and  some  children.  When 
this  operation  was  over,  the  savoury  mess  was  shared 
with  the  visitors,  and  bread  received  in  return. 

After  arranging  as  far  as  possible  for  the  comfort 
10  * 


114 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


of  his  family,  Gardiner  left  them  at  Quinchilca, 
and  resumed  his  travels.  It  was  difficult  to  find  an 
interpreter,  hut  he  procured  a man  who  was  willing 
to  do  his  best,  and  proceeded  on  horseback  to  the 
Indian  territory.  After  crossing  the  river  Callecalle 
six  times,  and  another,  whose  banks  were  covered 
with  a jungle  of  bamboo,  (from  which  the  Indians 
made  their  spears,)  they  found  themselves  near  to 
Lake  llanco,  and  in  the  village  of  Neggiman,  one 
of  the  paid  chiefs,  with  whom  Gardiner  had  a satis- 
factory interview.  The  question  was  asked,  “May 
I come  and  reside  at  your  village  with  my  family?” 
The  answer  was,  “ Oh  yes,  certainly  ; that  is,  if  you 
bring  me  a letter  from  Don  Francisco,  the  commis- 
sary.” Gardiner  was  delighted : he  had  met  Don 
Francisco,  and  knew  that  he  would  make  no  diffi- 
culty. But  he  did  not  know  Friar  Manuel,  of  Val- 
divia, who,  arriving  at  the  commissary  house,  heard 
that  El  Botanico,  an  Englishman  and  a heretic,  was 
desirous  of  settling  in  the  Indian  territory.  “You 
surely  will  not  give  him  permission,”  said  the  friar, 
“ he  will  infect  all  the  Indians  with  heresy,  and  set 
them  against  us.”  This  argument  prevailed  over 
the  friendly  disposition  of  the  commissary;  but  de- 
sirous of  pleasing  both  the  stranger  and  the  priest, 
he  wrote  a civil  letter  to  the  chief,  and  sent  it  by  a 
civil  messenger,  who  at  the  same  time  delivered  a 
private  message,  the  purport  of  which  Gardiner 
gathered  from  his  next  interview  with  Neggiman, 
who  inquired,  “ How  long  do  you  think  of  remain- 


riONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


115 


ing  here  ?”  Tlie  reply  was,  “ that  as  he  wished  to 
learn  the  language,  and  to  become  acquainted  with 
the  people,  it  would  occupy  at  least  twelve  moons.” 
To  this  the  chief  rejoined,  that  his  visitor  “ might 
stay  one  moon  and  no  more.”  It  was  easy  to  see 
that  the  chief  had  been  tampered  with,  but  it  was 
not  until  a later  period  that  Gardiner  found  out  by 
whose  influence  his  benevolent  views  had  been 
thwarted. 

Neggiman’s  whole  tone  and  bearing  being  altered, 
there  seemed  but  one  hope  left.  As  nothing  could 
be  done  with  the  chiefs  who  received  government 
pay,  Gardiner  determined  to  visit  the  Huilliches,  a 
tribe  of  men  really  independent. 

Provided  with  a fresh  guide  and  a good  horse,  he 
pursued  a fatiguing  journey,  mostly  through  a thick 
jungle  of  bamboo,  and  with  torn  skin  and  tattered 
clothes,  reached  the  Indian  territory.  The  neat 
cottages,  with  patches  of  barley  and  potatoes,  and 
the  distant  roaring  of  the  sea,  gave  a most  refresh- 
ing change  to  the  scene. 

Ushered  into  the  presence  of  the  chief,  Wykepang, 
a stout,  elderly  man,  Gardiner  was  asked,  “ Where 
are  you  going  ?”  “I  wish  to  go  forward  and  visit 
some  of  the  Huilliche  chiefs  beyond.”  Wykepang 
laughed,  and  said,  “ There  are  no  Spaniards  there ; 
they  are  not  allowed  to  come  there.”  Gardiner 
contrived  however  to  make  him  understand  he  was 
no  intruder,  and  told  him  he  “ had  come  for  no 
other  purpose  than  to  instruct  him  and  his  people  in 


116 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  Book  of  God.  Wykepang  seemed  surprised 
that  his  visitor  should  possess  the  Book  of  God,  but 
when  the  word  “ missionary”  was  named,  all  his  preju- 
dice against  everything  Spanish  came  out,  and  he 
replied  quickly,  that  “ he  did  not  want  a mission- 
ary.” After  many  questions  to  the  guide,  for  he 
was  very  suspicious  that  his  guest  belonged  to  Buenos 
Ayres,  the  chief  gave  an  unwilling  permission  that 
he  might  stay  one  night,  adding  that  all  the  chiefs 
of  the  Iluilliches  had  agreed  never  to  allow  Span- 
iards to  enter  their  country. 

At  a very  early  hour  in  the  morning  Wykepang 
reminded  his  guest  that  it  was  time  to  go,  and  that 
it  must  not  be  known  that  a foreigner  had  slept  in 
his  house.  On  departing,  Gardiner  asked  his  host, 
“ When  I pay  you  another  visit,  if  I can  speak 
your  language  instead  of  the  Spanish,  what  am  I 
to  expect?”  “Then,”  said  he,  “you  may  come 
without  fear.” 

With  this  partial  permission,  our  friend  took  his 
leave,  and  after  a return  journey,  made  up  of  hard- 
ships and  mishaps,  he  reached  Quinchilca,  from 
which  he  immediately  removed  his  family  to  Val- 
divia. Thus,  thwarted  and  disappointed  in  every 
effort,  Allen  Gardiner  saw  no  hope  remaining  of 
getting  at  the  heathen  in  South  America.  Fierce, 
exterminating  warfare,  in  some  parts,  led  the  Indian 
to  look  on  every  Christian  as  his  enemy.  Where- 
ever  peace  reigned,  Popery  was  dominant,  and  Pro- 
testant teaching  was  unwelcome. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


117 


But  his  energies  were  not  to  be  crushed  by  failure, 
and  he  looked  about  for  some  other  work  on  which 
to  expend  them.  There  was  still  a large  unoccu- 
pied field  in  South  America,  where  neither  the  Bible 
nor  Tract  Societies  had  a single  agent,  arid  the  idea 
struck  him  that  they  would  willingly  grant  him 
books,  and  that  he  might  act  for  both.  His  decision 
was  soon  made.  “No!”  said  he,  “I  have  devoted 
myself  to  God,  to  seek  for  openings  among  the 
heathen,  and  I cannot  go  back  or  modify  my  vow.” 
From  this  resolution  he  never  swerved  ; and  look- 
ing at  the  map  of  the  world  as  another  man  might 
look  at  that  of  Europe  or  England,  he  thought  as 
little  of  going  to  the  antipodes,  as  a Philadelphian 
wTould  of  going  to  Boston,  lie  therefore  deter- 
mined to  visit  the  Indian  Archipelago,  and  accord- 
ingly, on  May  29th,  1839,  with  his  family,  set  sail 
from  Valparaiso  for  Sydney. 


118 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  INDIAN  ARCHIPELAGO. 

“ From  many  a palmy  plain, 

They  call  us  to  deliver 
Their  land  from  error’s  chain.” 

After  a fortnight’s  boisterous  weather,  for  want 
of  a good  chart,  the  vessel  in  which  he  sailed  made 
a wrong  passage  among  the  Society  Islands,  and 
found  it  necessary  to  put  in  at  Tahiti.  They  found 
this  island,  once  a land  of  promise,  then  a land  of 
trouble,  fast  degenerating  from  the  excellent  example 
of  a Christian  people,  for  which  it  had  been  remark- 
able. After  the  delay  of  a few  days,  the  vessel  again 
weighed  anchor,  and  on  Sept.  14th,  reached  Sydney 
Cove,  from  which  place  he  determined  to  proceed  to 
New  Guinea.  On  hearing  that  the  Romanist  Bishop 
of  Sydney  was  himself  projecting  a mission  to  that 
country,  he  engaged  a passage  to  Timor,  in  the  hope 
of  obtaining  permission  from  the  Dutch  Protestant 
authorities,  to  open  a mission.  “What  an  ex- 
ample of  zeal  these  Romanists  set  us  !”  was  Gar- 
diner’s thought,  as  he  paced  the  deck  of  the  vessel 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


119 


whilst  she  wound  her  dangerous  way  through  the 
difficult  passages  of  the  Barrier  Reef  and  Torres 
Strait,  on  her  course  to  Timor. 

As  they  approached  that  port,  Captain  Gardiner 
began  to  hear  alarming  accounts  of  Dutch  restric- 
tions, which,  when  a trial  was  made,  he  found  were 
not  without  foundation.  On  Oct.  23d,  they  arrived 
at  Dille,  where  they  were  kindly  received  by  the 
Governor,  who,  having  retired  to  the  hills  for  health, 
kindly  allowed  the  use  of  the  government  house, 
whilst  they  remained  in  this  unhealthy  place.  The 
Gardiners  were  detained  three  weeks  before  any 
opportunity  for  leaving  occurred.  It  seemed  as  if 
to  breathe  the  air  were  poison,  and  sickness  was  im- 
printed on  the  faces  of  all.  During  their  stay,  Gar- 
diner was  as  active  as  ever,  adding  to  his  information 
from  every  quarter,  both  as  to  the  European  settle- 
ments and  position,  and  the  character  of  the  natives. 

Having  made  a pleasant  acquaintance  with  the 
Padre,  a Dominican  friar  who  could  speak  French 
and  Spanish,  the  two  friends,  mounted  on  the 
sturdy  little  ponies  of  Timor,  went  together  to  visit 
some  of  the  mountain  villages.  The  way  led  through 
dark  ravines,  and  up  the  steep  ascent  of  the  first 
ridge  of  mountains ; the  Padre,  however,  was  a 
good  travelling  companion,  and  the  weary  miles 
were  cheated  of  their  length  by  his  conversation. 
He  stated,  that  great  difficulties  lay  in  the  way  of 
intercourse  with  the  natives,  from  the  variety  of 
dialects  in  use  among  them,  and  this  was  afterwards 


120 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


confirmed  by  an  intelligent  native,  who  represented 
each  tribe  as  speaking  a language  of  its  own,  and 
the  various  chiefs  to  be  independent  of  each  other. 
The  natives  of  Timor  are  of  a dark  chocolate  colour, 
with  lamp-black  hair,  and  wear  a single  garment  of 
home  manufacture. 

This  discouragement,  together  with  the  unhealthi- 
ness of  the  climate,  of  which  his  family  were  be- 
ginning to  feel  the  sickening  effects,  convinced  Cap- 
tain Gardiner  that  further  research  would,  at  this 
time,  be  useless,  and  therefore,  having  an  oppor- 
tunity of  obtaining  a passage  to  Copang,  he  em- 
barked with  them  for  that  place,  taking  with  them 
a native  servant  named  Manoko.  From  this  time 
they  suffered  greatly  from  intermittent  fever,  but 
were,  by  God’s  mercy,  never  wholly  laid  aside. 

After  sailing  for  three  days  along  a line  of  coast 
most  picturesque  and  beautiful,  but  with  the  same 
poisoned  air  sweeping  around  them  and  filling  their 
sails,  they  reached  Copang.  Gardiner  found  the 
Dutch  Resident  kind  and  civil,  but  the  latter  was 
much  surprised  at  the  request  for  a pass,  and  the 
project  of  a mission  to  Papua.  He  said  he  had  no 
objection  to  give  the  English  stranger  the  requisite 
pass,  but  that  he  might  as  well  attempt  to  instruct 
the  monkeys  as  the  natives  of  Papua.  “Monkeys 
in  appearance  or  not,”  said  Gardiner,  “being  men 
in  reality,  they  are  not  incapable  of  being  instructed, 
for  they  are  included  in  our  Saviour’s  command,  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  human  being.” 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


121 


Finding  a comfortable  country-house,  situated  in 
a delightful  grove  of  trees,  cocoanut,  canary,  and 
banana,  he  settled  his  family  there ; whilst  he,  in 
spite  of  the  severe  attacks  of  fever  he  suffered  on 
every  alternate  day,  prosecuted  the  object  of  his 
visit  with  his  usual  untiring  activity.  In  this  he  re- 
ceived much  assistance  from  a Dutch  missionary. 

“ Either  for  want  of  funds,  or  energy,  or  both, 
a sad  clog  seems  to  impede  the  operations  of  the 
Dutch  Missionary  Society  among  these  islands. 
Notwithstanding  that  eleven  years  have  elapsed 
since  the  society  at  Rotterdam  first  commenced  its 
missions  in  these  seas,  but  one  translation  of  the 
Scriptures  exists  for  the  whole  native  population, 
from  Malacca  to  Timor  and  the  Moluccas;  nor  is 
any  other  in  progress.  This  translation  is  in  the 
purest  Malay,  which  widely  differs  from  the  collo- 
quial tongue  of  by  far  the  greater  portion  of  coun- 
tries within  the  range  of  the  Society’s  operations. 
The  clergyman  at  Copang  preaches  in  Malay,  but 
his  auditors  generally  are  unable  to  comprehend  a 
great  part  of  his  discourse.  Mr.  Heimering  informs 
me  that,  during  his  residence  as  missionary  at  the 
island  of  Letti,  he  found  it  so  utterly  impracticable 
to  make  any  progress  through  the  medium  of 
Malay,  which  was  but  imperfectly  understood  by 
a portion  of  the  population,  that  soon  after  his 
arrival  he  set  himself  down  to  study  the  native 
tongue,  which  he  at  length  acquired.  He  then 
commenced  translating  some  elementary  books,  the 


122 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


four  Gospels,  and  the  Acts,  into  the  language  of 
Letti,  supposing  that  his  Society  would,  of  course, 
print  them,  and  thereby  facilitate  his  labours.  But 
this  they  have  wholly  declined,  under  the  plea,  that 
the  population,  for  the  benefit  of  which  they  were 
intended,  was  too  small  to  warrant  the  expense. 
The  population  of  Letti  alone  is  computed  by  Mr. 
Heimering  at  ten  thousand,  and,  if  it  were  less,  the 
general  question  would  not  be  affected  by  it ; espe- 
cially as  the  translation  would  bear  upon  thirty  or 
forty  thousand  persons,  who  inhabit  islands  of  the 
same  group.  Now,  when  it  is  considered  that  the 
entire  population  of  Tahiti,  where  six  missionaries 
are  labouring,  is  not  yet  quite  ten  thousand,  and 
that  printing-presses  are  in  operation  in  all  the  ad- 
jacent groups,  where  there  has  been  found  a dis- 
tinct dialect,  it  does  seem  almost  unaccountable  that 
the  all-important  work  of  translation  has  not  been 
even  commenced  by  the  Dutch  Society,  with  refer- 
ence to  these  poor  islanders.” 

Mr.  Heimering,  however,  informed  him  that 
without  a knowledge  of  the  native  tongue,  his  pro- 
ject would  prove  to  be  impracticable. 

It  must  here  be  remarked,  that  although  the 
Malays  are  now  known  only  as  the  pirates  of  the 
Indian  Archipelago,  they  are  the  original  inhabit- 
ants of  the  Malayan  peninsula  and  the  island  of 
Sumatra.  In  many  of  these  islands  there  are  two 
coloured  races,  besides  a few  Europeans.  The  one 
race  has  more  of  the  negro  characteristics  than  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


123 


other,  and  are  always  found  in  the  mountainous 
parts. 

New  Guinea  is  peopled  entirely  by  blacks.  The 
Dutch  had  at  one  time  a settlement  on  the  coast, 
called  Fort  du  Bus,  hut  that  had  been  given  up,  and 
there  was  now  no  communication  between  any  of 
the  Dutch  settlements  and  New  Guinea. 

Notwithstanding  these  obstacles,  Gardiner  still 
resolved  to  see  for  himself,  determined  to  proceed 
to  Ternate,  hoping  to  take  advantage  of  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Resident  of  Ternate  over  the  Sultan 
of  Tidore,  and  through  that  of  the  latter  over  the 
natives  of  New  Guinea-,  through  the  island  of  Sala- 
watty. 

Although  he  was  in  such  ill-health  as  to  be  un- 
able to  superintend  the  equipments  of  his  voyage, 
he  chartered  a cutter  and  embarked  on  Dec.  27th 
for  Ternate.  It  was  at  the  time  when  the  westerly 
monsoon  was  blowing,  the  vessel  was  in  a wretched 
state,  and  with  an  ignorant  pilot  to  guide  her, 
was  not  only  run  far  out  of  her  course,  but  in  dan- 
ger of  being  wrecked.  At  length  the  bay  of  Solor 
was  reached  ; and  the  ship’s  company  spent  New 
Year’s  day,  1840,  at  the  Malay  town  of  Lamkara, 
where  they  were  detained  until  the  vessel  could  be 
refitted  and  supplies  be  obtained. 

This  detention  afterwards  proved  to  be  providen- 
tial. Before  they  were  ready  to  sail,  news  arrived 
that  the  north  entrance  of  the  Flores  straits  was  oc- 
cupied by  a number  of  Malay  pirates,  who  were  on 


124 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  watch  for  vessels.  Many  stories  of  piratical 
treatment  to  European  ships  were  largely  discussed 
among  the  passengers ; which  accounts  being  con- 
firmed by  a Portuguese  padre  on  board,  Captain 
Gardiner  resolved  to  alter  his  course.  That  he  re- 
garded this  escape  from  danger  as  providential, 
may  be  seen  by  an  entry  made  in  his  journal : — 

“ It  was,  indeed,  a most  gracious  Providence 
which  directed  us  to  this  place.  Had  we  obtained 
the  supplies  we  needed,  in  sufficient  quantity,  at 
Solor,  we  should  have  run  through  the  straits  with- 
out in  the  least  suspecting  our  danger,  and,  if 
becalmed  within  sight  of  land,  should  undoubtedly 
have  been  attacked  by  these  merciless  pirates.  Had 
we  been  manned  by  Europeans,  and  properly  armed, 
I should  have  had  no  hesitation  in  running  through, 
small  as  our  vessel  was ; but  the  two  guns  we  had 
mounted  would  not  have  been  of  the  slightest  use.” 

Instead,  therefore,  of  proceeding  to  Ternate,  for, 
.although  he  could  not  throw  off  the  fever,  he  never 
thought  of  returning  while  any  hope  of  success  re- 
mained, he  sailed  for  Amboyna,  where  he  had  an 
interview  with  the  governor.  His  plans  and  objects 
excited  both  curiosity  and  surprise.  The  gover- 
nor did  not  seem  suspicious  about  his  reasons  for 
visiting  New  Guinea,  and  nothing  transpired  as  to 
any  meditated  obstacle;  but  like  a cautious  general, 
this  functionary  formed  his  plan  and  acted  upon  it 
in  silence. 

The  Gardiners  found  the  settlement  at  Ambovna 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


125 


a perfect  forest  of  fruit  trees.  Every  house  was  in 
a grove  or  plantation  of  bread-fruit,  shaddock, 
mango,  banana,  nutmeg,  and  cinnamon, — for  every 
species  of  spice  and  fruit  seemed  to  luxuriate  here — 
and  over  the  door  of  every  house  sat  a red  parrot, 
like  a sentinel  on  duty.  The  natives  only  are  the 
cultivators  of  spices;  they  are  required  to  send 
their  produce  to  the  governor  at  set  prices.  For 
their  own  food,  sago  is  so  easily  cultivated  that  the 
natives  find  it  too  much  trouble  to  grow  anything 
else.  But  the  “spicy  breezes”  so  boasted  of  by 
voyagers,  “ although,”  says  Gardiner,  “ the  wind 
was  directly  off  shore,  as  we  approached  the  anchor- 
age, regaled  us  not  with  their  fragrance.  I have 
never  experienced  it  in  the  least  degree,  even 
when  close  to  the  island  of  Ceylon,  where,  if  it 
ever  were  to  be  perceived,  it  would  be  in  its  perfec- 
tion.” 

The  Gardiners  left  Amboyna  on  Feb.  24th,  and, 
embarking  on  board  a vessel  bound  for  Java,  they 
found  a motley  company  on  board.  They  repre- 
sented England ; their  servant  was  a native  of 
Timor  ; some  of  the  sailors  were  Americans,  and  a 
Dane  and  Javanese  were  among  the  passengers. 
The  Captain  was  an  Arab,  the  crew  Malays,  the 
cook  a Chinaman ; and  the  bows  of  the  vessel  were 
crimson  with  parrots.  The  Mohamedan  element  in 
this  assembly  contributed  to  render  this  passage  un- 
pleasant. Christians  must  eat ; but  the  Mohamed- 
ans  were  intolerant  as  to  their  cooking-stove. 

11* 


126 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Manoko,  the  Gardiners’  Timor  servant,  waited  near 
the  stove  till  the  Arabs  and  Malays  were  supplied 
with  food  ; but  found  that  Mohamedans  could  not  al- 
low their  cook  to  assist  infidel  Christians,  nor 
would  they  hurry  their  movements,  that  the  despised 
race  might  help  themselves.  The  Gardiners  were 
thus  instructed  in  patience,  and  Manoko  in  cookery. 

As  the  vessel  approached  her  destination,  the 
glasses  were  raised,  and  every  eye  was  turned  in 
the  direction  of  the  welcome  land.  The  passengers 
pointed  out  to  each  other  the  position  of  the  town, 
but  no  town  was  visible.  The  ship  entered  the  har- 
bour. Here  an  extraordinary  scene  of  desolation 
presented  itself.  Shattered  and  unroofed  houses 
were  to  be  seen  in  every  direction ; not  a dwelling 
of  brick  or  stone  was  standing;  the  whole  place  had 
the  appearance  of  a huge  quarry  in  complete  dis- 
order, with  wooden  tenements  here  and  there,  as 
though  they  were  the  abodes  of  workmen  in  the 
midst  of  their  materials. 

The  story  was  soon  told.  An  eruption  of  the  vol- 
cano of  Ternate  had  taken  place  a month  before,  and 
for  two  days  a stream  of  lava  flowed,  with  some  in- 
termission, down  the  side  of  the  mountain.  For 
ten  days  after  this  all  was  quiet ; then  in  the  dead 
of  night,  the  inhabitants  were  roused  by  the  first 
shock  of  an  earthquake.  The  shocks  increased  in 
violence  untif  four  o’clock,  when  the  houses  began 
to  fall.  Between  this  hour  and  one  o’clock,  P.  M., 
ten  or  twelve  tremendous  shocks  threw  down  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


127 


remainder  of  the  brick  buildings.  By  God’s  bless- 
ing, not  one  of  the  inhabitants  was  injured.  But 
the  earthquake  shocks  continuing,  it  was  resolved 
that  the  settlement  should  be  removed  to  the  large 
island  of  Gillolo. 

Gardiner  entered  the  ruined  town,  and  wandered 
in  search  of  a house.  The  contrast  between  the 
overthrown  abodes  of  men  and  the  outskirts,  was 
wonderful.  The  one  was  a ruin, — the  other  a per- 
fect garden,  whose  wide  lanes  with  long  lines  of 
bread  fruit,  bamboo,  canary,  (a  large  forest  tree 
bearing  almonds,)  and  mango,  conducted  him  through 
cultivated  grounds,  interspersed  with  native  houses, 
where  Indian  corn,  sweet  potatoes,  and  various  kinds 
of  tropical  fruits  were  cultivated.  A house,  built 
of  the  branches  and  thatched  with  the  leaves  of 
the  sago  palm,  was  soon  hired  for  a residence. 
Here,  in  the  midst  of  a destruction  which  reminded 
them  of  a similar  scene  at  Concepcion,  the  Gardi- 
ners thanked  God  for  the  merciful  preservation 
which  they  had  experienced.  Had  they  been  able 
to  come  direct,  as  they  intended,  from  Copang  to 
Ternate,  they  would  have  been  in  the  town  when  it 
was  destroyed. 

When  Gardiner  delivered  his  letters  of  introduc- 
tion to  the  Resident  and  the  clergyman,  and  re- 
quested a pass  to  Sallawatty  and  Papua  of  the 
former,  he  was  told  that  in  the  letter  of  which 
he  was  the  bearer,  information  was  given  that  he 
was  suspected  of  being  a political  emissary  of  the 


128 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


English  government ; and  further,  that  a despatch 
had  been  forwarded  to  the  Governor-General  at 
Batavia,  respecting  him.  A pass,  therefore,  could 
not  be  granted  until  an  answer  was  received  from 
the  Governor-General. 

This  was  a decisive  stroke  of  policy  which  the 
upright  and  noble-hearted  Gardiner  could  not  under- 
stand. He  wore  no  mask  himself,  and  he  never 
suspected  that,  under  the  smooth  exterior  of  the 
Governor  of  Amboyna,  whose  dull  eye  told  no  tales, 
deep  schemes  were  considered,  and  that  the  hand 
was  sent  out  in  advance  to  hold  a friendly  parley 
with  a suspected  man,  and  returned  to  write  a note 
which  was  intended  to  arrest  his  steps,  and  destroy 
his  hopes. 

Had  Captain  Gardiner  come  without  this  note, 
the  Resident  of  Ternate  would  have  readily  given 
him  the  required  pass  to  Papua ; but  the  reference 
to  Batavia  rendered  this  impossible.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  the  vessel  which  was  to  take  the  propo- 
sal of  the  inhabitants  of  Ternate  to  the  Governor- 
General  for  removal,  was  still  in  the  harbour.  Gar- 
diner therefore  drew  up  a memorial,  stating  who  he 
was,  and  giving  his  word  as  an  English  officer,  a 
gentleman,  and  a Christian,  that  his  sole  object 
was  to  commence  a Christian  mission  among  the 
Papuans.  The  memorial  concluded  with  a request  for 
the  desired  pass. 

As  a three  months’  detention  was  now  certain, 
Captain  Gardiner  began  at  once  to  study  Malay, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


129 


to  improve  Manoko  in  English,  and  to  make  the  neces- 
sary preparations  for  proceeding,  if  the  pass  should 
be  granted.  But  his  constitution  could  not  entirely 
throw  off  the  fever  with  which  he  had  been  seized  ; 
therefore,  after  six  weeks’  residence  at  Ternate,  dur- 
ing wdiich  time  they  experienced  thirteen  shocks  of 
earthquake,  they  decided  on  going  to  Manado,  on 
the  island  of  Celebes,  for  change  of  air.  It  was 
time  they  did,  for  in  case  of  illness  little  medical 
aid  could  be  obtained  here.  Gardiner  once  sent  a 
messenger  for  the  doctor.  The  request  being  stated, 
the  bearer  of  it  was  assured  by  the  doctor’s  servant, 
that  “his  master  was  asleep  and  did  not  like  to  be 
disturbed.” 

As  the  Dutch  allow  no  other  metal  but  copper 
for  the  currency  of  these  islands,  the  difficulty  of 
procuring  change  for  the  little  money  required,  was 
no  less  vexatious  than  amusing.  Five  pounds’  worth 
of  copper  coins  was  a load  for  three  men  to  carry. 
The  rent  of  the  palm-house  was  ten  rupees  a month. 
One  hundred  and  twenty  doits  make  a rupee ; but  as 
the  current  money  consisted  of  doits  and  half-doits, 
ten  rupees  might  consist  of  twenty-four  hundred 
coins,  and  make  a morning’s  work  for  landlord  and 
tenant  to  count. 

After  a short  trip  of  three  days’  travel,  they 
reached  Manado,  close  to  which  begins  an  ascent 
towards  a high  level,  where  are  several  villages,  in 
one  of  which  they  fixed  their  residence.  They 
travelled,  according  to  the  Celebes  fashion,  in  three 


130 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


palanquins,  with  twelve  men  to  each.  Forty-four 
men  brought  up  the  baggage,  thus  making  eighty 
in  all. 

The  journey  was  completed  in  five  hours  : the 
rate  of  payment  being  to  each  bearer  something 
less  than  a half-penny  an  English  mile.  Yet  they 
were  seemingly  very  happy,  for  they  ran  races  with 
each  other,  and  cheated  the  way  with  wild  shouts 
and  not  unmusical  songs.  The  village,  where  they 
were  to  find  a temporary  home,  was  about  two 
thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  floor 
of  every  house  was  elevated  from  six  to  eight  or 
ten  feet  upon  piles,  so  that  Captain  Gardiner  very 
truly  called  it  a “ village  on  stilts.”  The  houses 
were  of  wood,  the  roofs  were  thatched,  a bamboo 
ladder  served  for  a staircase,  and  the  windows  were 
square  apertures  with  shutters.  The  governor’s 
house,  being  empty,  was  lent  by  the  Resident  of 
Manado  to  the  Gardiners.  They  remained  here 
three  months,  waiting  for  the  Governor-General’s 
reply  and  found  much  pleasure  in  the  society  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mattern,  German  missionaries  who 
wrere  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  their  calling. 
The  many  displays  of  idolatrous  folly  which  Gardiner 
witnessed  here,  gave  him  deep  sorrow ; but  while  such 
positive  proofs  of  gross  paganism  were  constantly 
being  displayed,  it  is  “still  a cheering  prospect,” 
says  he,  “ to  think  that,  even  in  this  place  where 
Satan’s  seat  is,  there  is  also  a servant  of  the  Most 
High  God.” 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


131 


lie' mot  with  two  other  missionaries,  Mr.  Schwartz 
and  Mr.  Reidel,  from  whom  he  learned  more  of  the 
complicated  difficulties  which  stood  in  the  way  of 
Christian  missions  among  the  islanders  of  the  South 
seas.  Mr.  Reidel,  who  had  met  with  many  difficul- 
ties in  his  missionary  career,  told  him  that,  when  he 
first  entered  on  his  duties  at  Tondano,  he  found 
many  baptized  persons,  whose  notions  as  to  Chris- 
tianity were  confined  to  a few  forms,  such  as  the 
following  : — It  was  their  usual  custom  to  dress  them- 
selves in  black  on  Christmas  day,  that  being  the 
anniversary  of  Christ’s  death  ; and  in  white  on  New 
Year’s  day,  that  being  the  anniversary  of  his  re- 
surrection. When  he  tried  to  instruct  them,  he  was 
told,  “You  need  not  call  on  me,  I am  a Christian,” 
and  after  some  questions,  which  only  served  to  prove 
the  ignorance  of  the  persons  wdio  had  been  thus 
cheated  into  the  profession  of  a religion,  of  which 
they  comprehended  nothing,  Mr.  Reidel  said  to  one, 
“ I will  ask  you  one  more  question,  ‘ Who  is  Jesus 
Christ?’”  The  reply  was,  “I  do  not  know,  un- 
less he  was  the  Resident  of  Manado.” 

This  teaching  was  the  result  of  a plan  formed  by 
the  Dutch.  They  found  the  recruiting  of  native 
troops  in  these  colonies  a task  of  so  much  difficulty, 
that  they  were  obliged  to  enlist  soldiers  from  the  hea- 
then population  of  the  Moluccas.  This,  however,  did 
not  please  the  people  of  Java,  who,  being  Mohammed- 
ans, refused  to  serve  in  the  same  ranks  with  idolaters. 
An  order,  therefore,  came  from  government,  that 


132 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


proselytes  were  to  be  made  to  Christianity.  Accord- 
ingly  proselytes  were  made,  and  the  greatest  work 
was  done  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Manado.  Alas ! 
that  Christian  ministers  could  be  found  to  baptize 
by  government  rule,  so  that  the  ranks  of  an  army 
might  be  filled  with  recruits. 

In  the  society  of  these  true  missionaries,  who  en- 
tered heartily  into  Gardiner’s  plans,  three  months 
passed  pleasantly  away;  but  at  the  end  of  that  time 
a letter  arrived  from  the  Governor  of  Ternate,  that 
despatches  had  been  received  from  the  Governor- 
General  of  Batavia,  but  not  a word  relative  to  Cap- 
tain Gardiner.  In  this  instance  it  was  to  be  feared 
that  “ silence  did  not  give  consent.”  It  was,  how- 
ever, of  less  consequence  now.  Although  he  had 
gained  some  encouraging  information  respecting  the 
natives  of  Papua,  the  state  of  Gardiner’s  health 
was  such  that  he  felt  it  would  be  impossible  for  him 
to  reside  in  the  unhealthy  climate  of  New  Guinea 
for  any  length  of  time.  But  he  was  not  the  man 
to  leave  one  stone  unturned,  in  order  to  obtain  the 
object  of  all  his  endeavours ; for,  had  he  received  per- 
mission, his  pioneering  efforts  might  have  smoothed 
the  way  for  missionaries  to  follow.  Leaving  Tou- 
mahon  for  Manado,  he  had  there  an  interview  with 
the  Governor  of  the  Moluccas,  in  which,  after  parry- 
ing some  very  simple  questions  on  the  part  of  Cap- 
tain Gardiner,  one  of  which  was,  “ Would  mission- 
aries be  allowed  to  settle  in  Papua?”  the  governor 
declared  that,  considering  the  strong  attachment  of 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


133 


the  Sultan  to  the  Mohammedan  faith,  there  was  little 
ground  to  suppose  that  he  would  permit  any  other 
religion  to  be  propagated  in  Papua,  adding,  “ My 
impression  undoubtedly  is,  that  he  would  throw  ob- 
stacles in  your  way.”* 

There  was  nothing  to  remain  for  now.  A passage 
was  at  once  taken  to  Ternate,  where  he  found  the 
Sultan  of  Tidore,  an  old  man,  nearly  seventy.  His 
dress  was  a red  calico  dressing  gown,  blue  striped 
calico  trowsers,  and  white  turban.  He  said  that  for 
himself  he  was  opposed  to  any  attempt  to  teach 
Christianity  in  any  part  of  his  dominions ; but  that 
he  should  offer  no  opposition  to  any  missionaries, 
who  came  with  the  consent  of  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment. The  Papuans,  he  said,  were  a wrong-headed 
people,  whom  it  would  be  impossible  to  convert.  He 
had  once  himself  acted  as  a missionary,  and  tried 
to  convert  the  chief  of  Salawatty  to  the  Moham- 
medan faith,  but  without  success.  He  therefore  shut 
the  chief  up  in  prison,  and  continued  his  endeavours 
to  persuade  him  to  adopt  the  true  faith ; but  the 
chief  was  firm,  and  actually  died  in  confinement, 
rather  than  accept  the  Sultan’s  terms. 

Fully  aware  of  all  the  difficulties  which  sur- 
rounded him,  Gardiner,  nevertheless,  determined  to 
go  to  Batavia,  in  order  to  have  a personal  interview 
with  the  governor.  Accordingly,  immediately  on 
reaching  his  headquarters,  he  despatched  a letter  to 
that  gentleman’s  secretary,  requesting  a reply  to 
*See  Life  of  Gardiner,  pp.  182 — 184. 


12 


334 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  letter  which  he  had  written  from  Ternate.  After 
more  than  a wTeek  had  elapsed  without  receiving  an 
answer,  Gardiner  went  thirty  miles  into  the  country, 
in  search  of  this  uncommunicative  governor.  He 
first  tried  the  government  office;  but  the  Governor- 
General  had  just  gone  home.  Thither  our  inde- 
fatigable friend  followed  him,  and  was  informed  that 
he  was  at  breakfast.  “ Present  my  card,  if  you 
please,”  said  Gardiner,  “I  will  wait  in  the  veran- 
dah.” After  some  time  the  servant  re-appeared, 
and  said  he  was  sorry,  but  his  honourable  master 
was  sick  and  could  not  be  seen.  Six  days  after 
this,  a message  was  brought  to  Captain  Gardiner, 
requesting  his  attendance  at  the  Resident’s  office  in 
Batavia.  The  Resident  then  addressed  him  as  fol- 
lows: “ I am  directed  to  inform  you  that  none  but 
‘ burghers’  are  allowed  to  go  to  those  places  which 
you  have  requested  permission  to  visit.” 

Suspicion  and  exclusion  seemed  to  be  the  watch- 
words here ; reminding  one  of  the  schoolboy,  who 
sat  apart  from  the  rest,  in  solitary  enjoyment  of 
little  islands  of  cake,  and  silenced  all  requests  and 
stopped  all  longing  looks,  with  the  dignified  an- 
nouncement, “ Those  that  ask,  shan’t  have.  Those 
that  don’t  ask,  don’t  want.” 

After  receiving  a similar  reply,  Captain  Gardi- 
ner sailed  with  his  family  from  Batavia,  for  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope.  We  cannot  detain  our  readers 
by  detailing  the  many  events,  such  as  the  importing 
of  slaves  from  Africa  to  serve  as  recruits  for  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


135 


army  of  Java,  etc.,  and  which  caused  the  noble 
heart  of  Gardiner  to  throb  with  increased  desire  for 
the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  these  benighted  places ; 
but  choose  rather  to  refer  them  to  extracts  from  his 
journal.* 

At  the  time  when  Gardiner  took  leave  of  Java, 
German  missionaries  were  at  Batavia,  hoping  to  be 
allowed  to  proceed  to  Borneo.  Recent  events  which 
have  occurred  there,  have  given  hopes  to  Christian 
hearts,  that  from  that  central  island  will  issue  not 
only  the  strong  hand  which  can  put  down  the  atro- 
cities of  Malay  piracy,  but  the  clear  and  distinct 
voice  of  missionary  enterprise,  which  may  tell  to 
Malays,  Papuans,  and  all  island  tribes,  that  Christ 
has  died  for  all  of  them,  and  has  sent  them  a mes- 
sage of  peace. 

* See  Life  of  Gardiner,  p.  189. 


136 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CHILOE  AND  PATAGONIA. 

Not  to  be  wearied,  not  to  be  deterred. 

Unsuccessful  as  Captain  Gardiner  had  been  in 
his  attempt  even  to  reach  Papua,  and  injurious  as 
the  climate  had  proved  to  his  health,  he  had  never 
relaxed  his  efforts,  until  permission  to  proceed  was 
refused.  The  voyage  to  Cape  Town  restored  his 
health  and  that  of  his  family,  and  he  wrote — “With 
my  renewed  strength,  I may  say  life,  (fori  consider 
it  as  given  afresh,)  I pray  for  grace  to  he  enabled 
to  devote  it  to  the  service  of  Him  who  redeemeth 
my  life  from  destruction,  and  crowneth  me  with 
mercy  and  loving-kindness.” 

Captain  Gardiner  had  now  determined  to  make 
another  attempt  to  communicate  with  the  Indians 
of  South  America.  Passing  near  the  coast  of  Port 
Natal,  he  almost  caught  a glimpse  of  the  distant 
hills,  where  the  little  settlement  of  Ilambanati  had 
once  excited  so  much  hope.  He  reached  Cape  Town 
on  November  4th,  and  sailing  from  thence  to  Rio 
Janeiro,  and  doubling  Cape  Horn,  landed  at  Valpa- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


137 


raiso,  on  March  10th,  1841,  and  in  less  than  a fort- 
night was  ready  for  his  exploring  journey.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  his  efforts  in  1838-9,  were  made 
from  Concepcion  and  Valdivia,  but  failed  because 
the  chiefs  were  either  in  the  receipt  of  Chilian  pay, 
or  defying  the  Chilian  government.  Still,  in  a 
country  of  so  vast  an  extent,  where  there  were  so 
many  tribes,  he  began  to  indulge  a hope  of  success 
in  some  yet  untried  quarter.  He  had  recourse  to 
books,  and  he  found  an  account  of  some  indepen- 
dent tribes  of  Pehuenches,  dwelling  in  the  remote 
valleys  of  the  Cordillera,  who  were,  from  their  secluded 
position,  alike  shut  out  from  war,  from  Romish  influ- 
ence, and  from  Chilian  commissaries;  he  hoped, 
from  what  he  had  heard  of  their  friendly  disposition, 
he  should  be  able  to  open  a mission. 

His  first  attempt  to  reach  this  tribe,  was  by  the 
Planchon  Pass,  between  Talca  and  San  Fernando. 
He  travelled  on  horseback,  with  an  attendant,  a 
mule  carrying  such  baggage  as  was  necessary. 
But  after  a most  fatiguing  journey  he  found  it  im- 
possible to  get  either  guide  or  interpreter,  and  the 
whole  way  among  the  Cordilleras  so  crowded  with 
difficulties,  that  he  retraced  his  steps  to  Valparaiso, 
and  prepared  for  a voyage  to  the  island  of  Chiloe. 

The  interval  between  his  return  and  the  obtain- 
ing of  a passage,  was  spent  in  an  endeavour  to  pro- 
mote the  circulation  of  the  Bible  among  the  Spanish 
Americans.  A large  case  of  Bibles  and  tracts, 
which  had  arrived  from  England  in  his  absence,  was 


188 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


at  this  time  bonded  in  Captain  Gardiner’s  name,  in 
the  custom-house  at  Valparaiso.  As  they  could 
not  be  taken  out  without  permission  from  govern- 
ment, a formal  request  was  now  made  to  the  author- 
ities at  Santiago,  for  leave  to  enter  a case  of 
“Bibles  and  other  religious  books,”  on  payment  of 
the  usual  dues.  To  the  surprise  of  most,  and  joy 
of  Gardiner,  a simple  affirmative  was  received. 
This  proof  of  liberality  encouraged  him  to  hope  that 
if  he  could  once  gain  permission  from  the  Indians  to 
settle  among  them,  no  opposition  would  be  made  by 
the  Chilian  government. 

In  ten  days  after  leaving  Valparaiso,  the  Gardi- 
ners arrived  at  the  beautiful  harbour  of  San  Carlos, 
in  the  island  of  Chiloe.  One  of  their  fellow-pas- 
sengers proved  to  be  the  identical  Friar  Manuel,  who 
had  poisoned  the  mind  of  Neggiman,  the  chief, 
against  Gardiner,  and  influenced  his  refusal  of  the 
plan  of  residing  among  his  people.  The  hostile 
feeling  of  this  evil  genius,  however,  was  not  sus- 
pected ; nevertheless  its  venom  was  soon  felt. 

The  friar,  on  landing,  lost  no  time  in  spreading 
reports  injurious  to  his  late  fellow-passenger.  He 
told  them  to  be  on  their  guard,  for  Gardiner  was 
not  what  he  seemed  to  be,  but  a most  dangerous 
man,  and  had  come  for  the  purpose  of  disturbing 
their  religious  faith,  and  making  proselytes  to  his 
own  perverted  creed.  This  was  enough  for  the 
gossips  of  San  Carlos ; it  was  soon  rumoured  that 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


139 


the  foreign  padre  was  an  heretical  bishop  in  dis- 
guise. 

There  were  two  ways  of  proceeding  to  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Cordillera ; one  by  Osorno,  where  the 
road  was  so  bad  that  it  was  hardly  safe  to  ride  ; and 
the  other  in  a more  direct  line,  and  only  one-fourth 
of  the  distance,  but  without  any  road  at  all.  How- 
ever, as  Osorno  was  in  Friar  Manuel’s  route,  and  he 
would  not  have  exerted  a friendly  influence  on  those 
among  whom  Gardiner  travelled,  the  shorter  way 
was  resolved  upon.  For  the  first  few  miles  it  would 
be  necessary  to  cut  through  the  wood  with  axes, 
and  he  endeavoured  to  hire  a party  of  men  to  ac- 
company and  assist  him.  A North  American  sailor 
offered  his  services,  and  he  was  commissioned  to 
hire  others ; nothing,  however,  would  induce  the 
Chilians  to  help  a man  on  whom  rested  the  ban  of 
the  church,  so  the  expedition  had  to  be  given  yip. 

The  friar  finding  his  purpose  accomplished,  seemed 
at  length  to  think  that  he  had  gone  too  far.  Before 
he  left  San  Carlos,  he  came  to  Captain  Gardiner, 
and  adopting  a familiar  tone,  said,  “ Let  us  be 
friends,  man.  You  wanted  a Chilidugu  dictionary, 
and  here  is  one.”  So  saying,  he  produced  a dic- 
tionary from  under  his  poncho,  which  had  in  vain 
been  sought  for  in  the  libraries  and  monasteries,  and 
was  now  thankfully  received. 

As  the  strange  reports  which  had  been  circulated 
about  the  Englishman  on  his  first  arrival  died  away, 
they  were  succeeded  by  others  equally  unfounded. 


140 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


But  whilst  those  whom  he  came  to  serve,  incapable 
of  appreciating  his  motives,  were  endeavouring  to 
thwart  his  benevolent  purposes,  he  was  quietly  pur- 
suing his  usual  course.  If  his  plan  failed  for  ap- 
proaching the  uncivilized  Indians,  he  fell  back  upon 
another  important  object,  that  of  circulating  the 
Scriptures  among  the  Romanists.  Having  taken  a 
house  at  San  Carlos  for  six  months,  he  now  exerted 
himself  successfully  in  circulating  Bibles  and  tracts 
in  Chiloe. 

However  unwilling  to  do  so,  Gardiner  was  obliged 
to  give  up  his  project  of  civilizing  the  South  Amer- 
ican Indians,  for  where  could  any  other  attempt  be 
made  to  communicate  with  them?  Like  the  Arabs, 
the  Indian  tribes  roaming  between  the  Cordillera 
and  the  Atlantic  were  wild  and  free ; their  hand 
■was  against  every  man,  and  every  man’s  hand  was 
against  them.  Through  this  scene  of  devastation 
Gardiner  had  at  first  passed.  But  when  he  turned 
more  hopefully  to  districts  where  the  w'hite  and  red 
men  were  at  peace,  the  dark  Papal  shadow  clouded 
all  there  with  gloom. 

Obliged  therefore  to  abandon  all  hopes  of  reach- 
ing the  Indian  population,  where  they  are  most  civ- 
ilized and  least  migratory,  his  thoughts  turned 
towards  the  south.  The  Patagonians,  (of  whom  we 
have  already  given  a description,)  about  Gregory 
Bay,  had  always  evinced  a friendly  disposition  to 
foreigners;  and  believing  that  the  Falkland  Islands, 
now  under  the  protection  of  the  British  flag,  might 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


141 


become  the  key  to  the  aborigines,  both  of  Pata- 
gonia and  Terra  del  Fuego,  he  made  immediate 
preparations  for  going  there.  To  obtain  a passage 
to  the  Falklands,  the  Gardiners  returned  to  Valpa- 
raiso, where  they  were  at  once  met  by  their  friend 
Mr.  Armstrong,  and  accepted  his  invitation  to  re- 
main during  their  stay  at  his  house.  Leaving  his 
family  thus  hospitably  entertained,  Captain  Gardi- 
ner went  to  Santiago  and  Quillota  with  a large 
package  of  Bibles,  some  of  which  he  sold,  some  he 
gave  away,  and  the  rest  he  consigned  to  a book- 
seller in  Santiago,  who  undertook  to  promote  their 
sale,  although  they  had  not  the  orthodox  notes  ap- 
pended to  them. 

After  remaining  a month  at  Valparaiso,  Captain 
Gardiner  embarked  with  his  family  for  the  Falkland 
Islands,  which  they  reached  in  safety,  although, 
twice  during  the  passage,  they  were  exposed  to  se- 
rious danger. 

As  they  advanced  to  the  southward,  and  the  sun 
shone  brightly,  they  obtained  so  clear  a view  of 
Terra  del  Fuego,  that  they  were  not  only  able  to 
gain  a general  idea  of  its  bold  and  rugged  outline, 
but  to  trace  several  of  the  points  mentioned  in  the 
survey  of  Captains  King  and  Fitzroy . They  rounded 
the  Cape  without  a storm,  and  passed  near  to  Staten 
Island,  afterwards  a point  of  so  much  interest  to 
Captain  Gardiner,  and  anchored  in  Berkeley  Sound, 
just  in  time  to  spend  Christmas-day  at  Port  Louis. 

Though  this  was  midsummer,  the  island  had  a 


142 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


dreary  aspect  from  the  absence  of  trees  and  all  cul- 
tivation. The  country  was  undulating,  and  covered 
with  short  grass  and  a sort  of  heather.  The  settle- 
ment consisted  of  a few  cottages,  one  of  which  was 
lent  to  the  Gardiners  for  a week,  the  usual  occu- 
pants being  absent  on  a hunting  expedition.  In  the 
meantime  they  were  kindly  assisted  by  some  English 
sailors  to  erect  the  little  wooden  cottage  that  had 
been  brought  from  Valparaiso. 

Captain  Gardiner  was  disappointed  in  his  expec- 
tation of  finding  frequent  communication  between 
these  islands  and  the  Strait  of  Magellan.  The 
government,  in  re-asserting  the  right  of  England  to 
the  Falklands,  had  warned  off  the  ships  of  other 
nations  from  the  sealing  ground.  American  whalers 
and  sealers,  therefore,  went  only  to  the  uninhabited 
islands  for  water  and  wild  game,  thereby  avoiding 
harbour  dues.  It  was,  therefore,  no  easy  matter  to 
obtain  a passage  to  the  straits.  Many  applications 
were  made  to  captains  of  vessels  who  entered  the 
harbour,  but  one  had  not  provisions  enough  to 
lengthen  his  voyage,  and  another  would  not  risk 
his  vessel  in  these  narrow  and  dangerous  seas. 

In  this  dilemma  Gardiner  was  obliged  to  engage 
a passage  in  a crazy  old  schooner  called  the  Mont- 
gomery, which,  with  ragged  sails,  and  with  sheath- 
ing torn  off,  was  only  capable  of  running  from  har- 
bour to  harbour  among  the  islands.  The  western- 
most of  these,  called  New  Island,  being  more  fre- 
quented by  sealers  and  whalers,  was  considered  a 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


143 


kind  of  post-office,  and  leaving  his  family  at  Port 
Louis,  Gardiner  went  there,  taking  with  him  a 
servant,  a tent,  and  a store  of  provisions,  intending 
to  live  in  Robinson  Crusoe  fashion,  till  he  could  get 
a passage  to  the  Strait  of  Magellan. 

They  anchored  in  Ship  Harbour,  New  Island,  on 
the  11th  of  March,  1842,  where  they  found  two 
whalers  busily  engaged  in  fishing.  The  captains 
were  very  civil  and  friendly,  but  could  not  be  in- 
duced to  leave  the  fishing-ground  for  a long  time. 
It  was  now  the  height  of  the  season  ; seals  were 
in  plenty,  and  they  had  taken  three  whales  within 
a month. 

Learning  that  a whale  might  be  worth,  on  the 
average,  one  thousand  dollars,  or  two  hundred  pounds, 
Gardiner  offered  that  sum,  if  either  of  the  vessels 
would  run  across  with  him  to  Patagonia.  The  reply 
was,  that  at  any  other  time  they  would  gladly  give 
him  a passage  for  nothing,  that  if  their  visitor 
pleased,  he  should  be  welcome  to  stay  on  board 
either  of  their  vessels  till  another  opportunity  offered 
of  proceeding  farther ; but  while  fish  were  so  plenti- 
ful, they  could  not  move. 

Mr.  Back,  the  master  of  the  Somerset , had  lately 
been  in  the  straits,  and  stated  that  he  had  fallen  in 
with  a tribe  of  Patagonians,  among  tvhora  was  a 
Creole  Spaniard  named  San  Leon,  who  had  acquired 
great  influence  over  the  natives.  The  Patagonians 
are  very  much  under  the  sway  of  pretended  wizards. 
San  Leon,  a man  of  reckless  courage,  being  sub- 


144 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


jected  to  the  incantations  of  one  of  these  wizards, 
defied,  and  shot  him  with  a pistol  in  the  pre- 
sence of  his  tribe.  The  spectators  were  horror- 
struck,  but  transferred  their  fear  of  the  wizard  to 
San  Leon  himself ; who,  by  this  desperate  act, 
gained  for  himself  almost  the  authority  of  a chief. 
After  this,  he  assumed  a right  over  a large  district, 
about  Possession  Bay,  which  he  called  his  hunting- 
ground,  and  undertook  to  supply  guanaco  meat  to 
vessels  anchoring  near  the  narrows. 

This  news  made  Gardiner  more  desirous  than 
ever  to  proceed.  The  master  of  the  Montgomery 
had  heard  with  wondering  satisfaction  of  the  liberal 
offer  made  to  the  captains  of  the  whalers,  and  he 
now  proposed  to  perform  the  required  voyage  for 
two  hundred  pounds,  having  first  rendered  his  crazy 
schooner  as  seaworthy  as  possible,  by  caulking  her, 
and  borrowing  a sail.  Having  no  alternative,  Gar- 
diner, rather  than  wait  an  unlimited  time,  agreed  to 
sail  in  the  vessel,  but  positively  refused  to  give  more 
than  half  the  sum  demanded. 

Before  the  necessary  preparations  for  the  voyage 
could  be  made,  the  intervention  of  the  Sunday  gave 
him  an  opportunity  of  recalling  to  the  minds  of 
those  around  him,  the  long-forgotten  duty  of  the 
Sabbath.  He  proposed  to  have  service  on  board 
the  Montgomery , but  only  two  men  could  be  found, 
the  rest  were  all  absent  or  intoxicated.  Alas ! that 
there  should  be  such  general  neglect  of  the  Sabbath, 
which  is  God’s  everlasting  gift  to  man,  among  sol- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


145 


diers  and  sailors.  There  is  a rough  frankness  about 
the  British  or  American  sailor,  and  a liberal  kind- 
heartedness,  but  the  continual  temptation  to  indulge  in 
dram-drinking,  has  the  effect  of  diverting  his  better 
qualities  into  a wrong  direction.  The  preparations 
for  fitting  out  the  Montgomery  for  sea  were  soon 
made;  the  sail  was  borrowed,  and  the  poor  little 
schooner  stood  out  to  sea  in  its  old  age,  presenting 
its  worn-out  sides  to  the  broad  waves,  and  struggled 
along  for  the  Patagonian  coast.  It  entered  the 
Strait  of  Magellan  on  the  fifth  day  after  sailing, 
and  drifted  near  the  shore  of  Terra  del  Fuego. 
Guanacos  were  seen,  but  no  Fuegians. 

On  the  following  day,  a smoke  was  observed, 
which  induced  Captain  Gardiner  to  land  with  his 
men,  and  make  a fire  to  attract  the  natives.  After 
a short  time  the  islanders  began  to  approach,  shout- 
ing as  they  advanced,  but,  pausing  at  some  distance, 
they  also  kindled  a fire.  Supposing  this  to  be  an 
invitation  to  join  them,  but  not  wishing  to  have  the 
interview  at  a distance  from  the  boat,  Gardiner 
made  a signal  that  the  invitation  had  come  from 
him,  by  putting  more  fuel  on  his  fire  and  retaining 
his  position.  Seeming  to  understand  this,  two  of 
the  Fuegians  descended  towards  the  beach.  Gardi- 
ner  met  them,  holding  a coloured  handkerchief  and 
some  red  worsted  tape.  Both  these  men  were 
clothed  in  guanaco-skin  cloaks  with  the  hair  outside. 
They  were  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  with 
broad  shoulders  and  chests,  but  their  legs  were  lean 
13 


146 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


and  out  of  proportion  to  their  solid  frames.  Each 
had  a bow  and  quiver  of  arrows.  They  spoke 
loudly  and  made  very  plain  signs  for  their  visitors 
to  go  away.  They  received  the  presents  offered 
them,  such  as  brass  buttons,  a clasp  knife,  and  a 
worsted  comforter,  and  condescended  to  sit  down ; 
but  their  manner  was  sullen  and  repulsive.  Gardi- 
ner made  several  attempts  to  overcome  this  deter- 
mined reserve.  A small  looking-glass  was  handed  to 
the  elder  Fuegian,  who  received  it,  and  was  grimly 
stowing  it  under  his  cloak,  when  Gardiner  held  it 
up  to  his  face  and  that  of  his  companion.  They 
laughed  sourly  when  they  saw  the  representation 
of  their  smeared  visages.  A clasp-knife  was  next 
offered ; they  turned  it  over  as  if  expecting  some- 
thing pictorial  was  also  there.  The  knife  was 
opened,  they  expressed  as  much  pleasure  as  wTas 
consistent  with  the  thick  paint  on  their  faces,  but 
no  friendly  sign  was  returned.  A few  Spanish 
words  and  sentences  were  then  tried,  but  in  vain. 
Gardiner  had  picked  up  a few  Patagonian  words ; 
these  he  now  uttered  with  great  care,  but  there  was 
no  response.  Johnson  was  then  directed  to  go  to- 
wards the  boat ; this  action  seemed  to  give  the  first 
unmingled  satisfaction  to  the  Fuegians,  who  lost  no 
time  in  making  signs  for  Gardiner  to  follow  him. 
As  there  wTas  nothing  else  to  be  done,  he  shook 
hands  with  them  twice,  and  having  induced  them  to 
exchange  an  arrow  for  a handkerchief,  took  his 
leave. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


147 


The  schooner  passing  through  the  Strait  on  the 
next  day  entered  Gregory  Bay.  Having  landed, 
Captain  Gardiner  and  Johnson  endeavoured  to  find 
the  Patagonian  encampment,  of  which  the  whaling 
captain  had  spoken.  A walk  of  eight  miles  brought 
them  to  an  old  encampment.  The  grass  was  beaten 
down,  nine  hollow  places  showed  where  fires  had 
been  lately  burning,  and  traces  of  many  footsteps 
still  remained.  Close  by  was  a spring  of  water, 
which  widened  into  a small  brook ; and  the  ground 
in  various  places  was  quite  red  with  a profusion  of 
berries,  similar  to  cranberries.  They  also  observed 
thorny  bushes  ten  feet  high,  and  patches  of  wild 
celery  and  clover.  Having  ascended  the  Gregory 
heights,  they  observed  two  wreaths  of  smoke  in  the 
direction  of  Oazy  Harbour,  to  which  place  they  went 
in  the  schooner  on  the  same  afternoon,  and  anchored 
opposite  the  Indian  fires. 

On  the  following  morning  some  of  the  natives 
came  on  board.  After  these  men  had  been  enter- 
tained, the  camp  was  visited.  Many  of  the  tents 
were  of  horse-hide,  semicircular  in  shape,  and  en- 
tirely open.  They  were  filled  with  men,  women, 
and  children.  Lean  horses  and  dogs  were  to  be 
seen  here  and  there.  In  a conversation  held  in 
Spanish  with  San  Leon,  who  sat  among  a crowd  of 
Patagonians,  he  stated  that  he  had  been  with  the  tribe 
twelve  years,  and  that  “old  Maria,”  who  is  frequently 
spoken  of  in  the  published  voyages  of  Capt.  Fitzroy, 
was  dead.  He  also  said,  when  he  understood  the  er- 


148 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


rand  of  Captain  Gardiner,  that  American  missionaries 
had  come  to  Patagonia,  hut  could  not  stay,  because 
the  Fuegians  were  such  thieves  that  they  not  only 
ate  up  their  provisions,  but  cut  up  their  books. 
Captain  Gardiner,  being  informed  that  many  of  the 
people  had  for  a long  time  been  absent,  but  daily 
were  expected  to  return,  resolved  to  wait  for  their 
arrival.  No  opposition  being  made  to  his  remaining, 
the  canvas  tent,  which  had  been  brought  from  the 
Falklands,  was  set  up.  It  was  of  a gable  shape, 
and  closed  at  each  end  with  bullock-hides,  except 
where  a small  opening  served  as  a door. 

On  the  first  night  the  inhabitants  of  this  tent 
were  disturbed  by  the  dogs,  which  endeavoured  to 
make  a meal  of  the  hides  that  filled  the  end  of  the 
tent.  In  the  morning,  a fresh  coat  of  tar  was  put 
on  the  canvas,  and  thus  the  dogs  were  put  off  the 
scent.  On  the  second  evening,  when  the  two  in- 
mates had  composed  themselves  to  rest,  they  were 
startled  by  the  entrance  of  a long  Patagonian,  who, 
saying  “I  go  sleep,”  very  leisurely  coiled  himself 
up  for  that  purpose.  Johnson  expostulated  in  elab- 
orate English  without  effect,  but  Gardiner,  touching 
the  Patagonian  with  one  hand,  and  distinctly  re- 
peating the  word  “Go,”  the  intruder  departed. 

The  tent  with  its  tarred  canvas  and  hides,  as  well 
as  its  owners,  was  an  object  of  much  curiosity. 
The  natives  moved  their  tents,  and  pitched  them  ex- 
actly behind  that  of  their  visitors,  in  a row  of  sev- 
enteen. The  women  came  first  mounted  on  horses, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


149 


a load  of  poles  being  on  one  side,  a store  of  meat 
on  the  other,  and  a pile  of  skins  in  the  centre, 
which  formed  a seat  for  the  rider.  Then  came  the 
men,  and  a village  was  built  in  two  or  three  hours. 

Gardiner  had  expected  that  they  would  crowd 
round  the  novel  tent  and  try  to  effect  an  entrance,* 
but  they  were  not  riotous,  and  upon  the  whole  be- 
haved well. 

But  now  alarming  news  came  from  the  schooner, 
of  a misunderstanding  between  the  natives  and  the 
crew.  Gardiner  instantly  procured  a horse  with 
the  payment  of  some  tobacco,  and  rode  down  to  the 
Point,  from  whence  he  went  on  board  the  schooner. 
It  turned  out  that  the  master  of  the  vessel  had  re- 
quested San  Leon  to  provide  him  with  some  meat 
for  the  crew.  This  he  had  agreed  to  do,  and  told 
certain  natives  to  “ seek  guanaco.”  They  went, 
disappeared  behind  the  hills  for  some  time,  and  then 
returned  without  any  thing.  The  boat  of  the 
schooner  came  for  the  promised  meat;  but  no  sooner 
had  it  touched  the  beach  than  a party  of  natives 
came  down,  seized  the  painter,  and  said  that  no  one 
should  go  back  to  the  ship  till  they  had  been  paid 
for  their  trouble  in  “seeking  guanaco.”  San  Leon, 
who  was  on  board  the  schooner,  called  out  to  the 
boat’s  crew  not  to  land,  and  on  hearing  this,  they 
cut  the  rope  and  returned  on  board. 

This  adventure  proved  San  Leon’s  authority  to 
be  very  small ; but  he  explained  the  matter  by  de- 
claring that  the  offenders  were  not  Patagonians,  but 
13  * 


150 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Fuegians.  This  afterwards  proved  correct ; and 
the  Patagonians,  angry  at  these  libellers  of  then- 
race,  were  with  difficulty  prevented  from  entering 
into  a quarrel  with  them. 

San  Leon  now  declared  his  wish  to  go  in  the 
schooner  to  Port  Famine.  Gardiner  reminded  him 
of  the  thievish  and  reckless  conduct  of  the  Fuegians, 
but  San  Leon  assured  him  that  nothing  need  he 
feared,  as  the  Patagonians  intended  to  remain  where 
they  were  till  his  return.  The  Montgomery  then 
proceeded  to  Port  Famine  with  San  Leon  for  a load 
of  wood,  and  Captain  Gardiner  and  Johnson  re- 
mained with  the  Patagonians. 

In  the  absence  of  their  chief,  but  little  commu- 
nication could  be  held.  A few  monosyllabic  re- 
quests, replies,  and  directions  were  interchanged, 
but  nothing  serious  occurred  to  lead  to  any  rupture. 
They  were  very  curious  and  observant,  but  by  no 
means  troublesome.  So  friendly  did  they  appear, 
that  Johnson  imagined  he  could  safely  leave  the 
camp  kettle  boiling  on  the  fire,  while  he  took  a 
walk.  But  the  temptation  was  too  great.  Ven- 
turing into  the  tent,  they  peeped  into  the  kettle, 
and  abstracted  the  contents — good  ship’s  biscuit. 
The  nights  were  very  cold,  and  the  wind  entered 
under  the  covering  of  the  tent ; therefore  it  was 
necessary  to  erect  a wall  of  sods  around  it. 

The  country  is  broken  by  low  hills,  between  which 
are  narrow  brooks,  ponds,  and  lagoons.  Grass, 
clover,  and  celery  grow  there,  and  in  some  places 


riONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


151 


the  ground  is  carpeted  with  a creeping,  heathy  plant, 
the  berries  of  which  are  gathered  and  eaten  by  the 
young  Patagonians. 

On  the  return  of  the  schooner,  Captain  Gardiner 
rode  down  to  the  coast  to  see  San  Leon.  While  he 
was  absent  another  body  of  Patagonians  arrived. 
The  chief,  Wissale,  was  a man  of  powerful  frame, 
and  as  he  stood  with  his  guanaco-skin  cloak  muffled 
round  him,  he  appeared  of  gigantic  proportions, 
though  in  reality  not  more  than  six  feet  high.  He 
received  Captain  Gardiner  in  a friendly  manner, 
and  told  him  that  he  and  his  party  had  been  absent 
eight  months,  and  had  purchased  one  hundred  and 
twenty  horses.  He  was  accompanied  by  a North 
American  black,  named  Isaac,  who  spoke  English, 
and  proved  a far  better  interpreter  than  San  Leon. 
He  had  woolly  hair,  and  was  dressed  in  a skin  cloak 
like  the  Patagonians.  He  said  that  about  three 
years  before  he  had  deserted  from  a whaler  at  the 
Rio  Gallegas,  and  had  ever  since  been  with  Wissale’s 
people. 

Presents,  consisting  of  brass  buttons,  knives, 
handkerchiefs,  tobacco,  and  biscuit,  were  distributed 
among  the  chief  and  his  family,  after  which  Wissale 
and  Isaac  visited  the  stranger’s  tent.  After  some 
friendly  civilities,  Gardiner  told  his  errand,  which 
no  doubt  the  chief  clearly  understood  through  Isaac. 
He  replied,  “ It  was  well  ; they  should  be  brothers.” 
Being  reminded  of  the  thievish  propensities  of  the 
Northern  Fuegians,  the  Yacanas,  rvho  were  always 


152 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


visiting  his  tribe,  he  answered,  “ He  himself  would 
protect  his  friend.  He  would  tell  his  own  people  to 
take  care  of  his  friend’s  property.  Nothing  should 
be  stolen.” 

When  it  was  explained  to  him  that  the  only  reason 
which  induced  his  friend  to  wish  to  live  with  the 
Patagonians,  was  in  order  to  teach  them  good  things 
out  of  the  book  he  saw  before  him,  he  replied, 
“That  he  should  like  to  be  taught  those  good  things, 
and  he  would  teach  Captain  Gardiner  his  language.” 

After  this  very  satisfactory  conversation,  tea 
was  prepared,  which  Wissale  seemed  to  like.  He 
remained  for  some  time  after  tea,  and  sat  in  silence 
while  Gardiner  read  from  his  Bible,  explained  the 
passage,  and  offered  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

On  Sunday,  service  was  held  in  the  tent ; three 
men  from  the  schooner,  and  Isaac  attended.  On 
Monday,  a consultation  was  evidently  held  respect- 
ing the  white  visitor,  above  whose  tent  rose  the  pro- 
tecting spear  of  Wissale ; an  old  patriarch  being 
listened  to  with  great  attention.  Isaac  explained 
that  the  old  man  knew  one  very  short  way  to  the 
hearts  of  his  hearers.  Pointing  to  the  tobacco  and 
him  who  gave  it,  with  high  approval,  he  said  that, 
“ The  stranger  was  good  and  friendly  to  them,  and 
it  would  be  good  for  them  to  treat  him  well,  for  if 
they  did  so,  he  would  give  them  plenty  of  tobacco.” 
A murmur  of  approbation  followed  this  speech. 

All  things  thus  promising  well,  Gardiner  deter- 
mined on  bringing  his  family  from  the  Falklands,  to 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


153 


reside  among  them  for  a time.  The  schooner  was 
in  want  of  meat,  and  Wissale  gave  the  order  to 
“ hunt  guanaco.”  A large  party  rode  out  on  horse- 
back accompanied  by  the  hungry  dogs,  and  after- 
wards, on  coming  near  the  hunting-ground,  sepa- 
rated in  order  to  encircle  a considerable  range. 
Here  and  there  an  ostrich  started  up  from  the 
grass,  and  dashed  away,  followed  by  some  of  the 
dogs.  One  ostrich  only  was  pulled  down,  and  several 
guanacos. 

Gardiner  requested  San  Leon  to  take  charge  of 
his  tent,  &c.,  and  taking  a friendly  leave  of  Wissale, 
embarked  with  Johnson  on  his  return  voyage. 

They  made  a quick  passage  to  New  Island,  where 
they  found  the  whalers  still  chasing  the  “ monsters 
of  the  deep hut  the  voyage  to  Port  Louis,  in 
which  they  encountered  a heavy  gale,  was  both 
tedious  and  unsafe.  Gardiner  found  some  English 
vessels  in  the  harbour,  but  his  ardent  wish  that  one 
among  them  might  be  found  to  take  him  to  Pata- 
gonia, was  doomed  to  disappointment.  He  was, 
therefore,  obliged  to  wait  for  six  months,  as  no 
vessel  was  found  able  or  willing  to  aid  him,  and  he 
would  not  risk  his  family  in  the  crazy  Montgomery. 

In  the  mean  time,  one  of  them  sailing  to  Rio 
Janeiro,  our  missionary  pioneer  sent  a letter  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society  there, 
and  after  detailing  the  good  dispositions  of  Wissale 
and  his  people,  requested  that  an  ordained  mis- 
sionary might  be  sent  to  Patagonia,  and  stated  his 


154 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


intention  of  remaining  there  with  his  family  until  a 
mission  should  be  established. 

There  was  no  stated  chaplain  at  this  time  in  the- 
colony ; the  governor  read  the  Church  service  at 
the  government-house  every  Sunday  morning;  and 
Gardiner,  wishing  to  do  something  for  the  sailors, 
and  others  who  did  not  trouble  themselves  to  go  up 
thither,  conducted  worship  in  the  evening  at  the 
house  of  one  of  the  settlers,  for  a few  weeks.  But, 
although  several  persons  attended  at  first,  their 
numbers  gradually  decreased,  and  the  service  was  at 
length  given  up. 

The  presence  of  the  two  English  ships,  Erebus 
and  Terror , in  the  harbour  for  a whole  winter,  was 
an  event  in  the  history  of  East  Falkland.  For  a 
time  it  more  than  doubled  the  population  of  the 
island ; and  the  friendliness  of  their  captains  was 
an  especial  benefit  to  our  travellers. 

These  gentlemen  approved  of  Gardiner’s  pro- 
spective missionary  schemes,  and  also  showed  a 
lively  interest  in  New  Zealand,  and  the  progress  of 
Christianity  there. 

On  September  8th,  the  discovery  ships  sailed  for 
Cape  Horn,  and  in  the  following  month  two  schooners, 
the  Sociedad  and  the  Princess  Royal,  anchored  in  the 
sound.  Gardiner  found  that,  for  a good  sum,  the 
latter  would  have  been  put  at  his  disposal,  but  in- 
telligence received  by  the  Philomel  altered  all  his 
plans. 

It  had  never  been  Gardiner’s  plan  to  locate  him- 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


155 


self  as  a missionary,  but  simply  to  prepare  the  way 
for  one,  and  if  he  found  an  opening,  to  hold  the 
ground  till  a clergyman  and  his  coadjutors  should 
be  sent  out,  to  carry  on  the  work  more  effectually 
than  he  could  do. 

He  now  learned  that  the  Society  to  which  he 
looked  for  support,  was  under  the  necessity  of  re- 
ducing its  expenditure,  on  account  of  a temporary 
falling  off  in  its  funds ; and  that,  consequently, 
there  was  no  prospect  of  aid  from  that  quarter,  at 
least  for  a long  time.  He,  therefore,  determined 
to  go  at  once  to  England,  and  personally  plead  the 
claims  of  Patagonia,  but  before  sailing  he  was  happy 
to  be  assured  that  Captain  Sulivan  of  II.  M.  S. 
Philomel , would  lend  his  support,  if  a mission  were 
established  in  Patagonia. 

He  sailed  on  October  28th,  for  Rio  Janeiro,  where 
he  remained  until  December.  On  the  12th,  a 
whaler  came  into  the  harbour,  and  Gardiner  going 
on  board,  heard  news  from  Gregory  Bay.  The  hut 
and  its  contents  were  still  untouched,  San  Leon 
taking  charge  of  it.  Isaac,  too,  was  there,  and  pro- 
fessed an  intention  of  remaining  with  the  Patago- 
nians. The  following  day,  the  Gardiners  sailed  in 
a Swedish  ship  for  England,  and  landed  at  St. 
Ives,  on  February  17th,  1843,  after  an  absence  of 
six  years. 


156 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  BIBLE  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

“ Still  go  on,  and  to  the  pole 

Heavenly  bounties  safely  bear  ; 

Till  the  Gospel-heralds  tell 
All  the  Gospel-message  there  ; 

And  the  darkened  savage  find 
Jesus,  Saviour  of  mankind.” 

We  have  now  come  to  a new  era  in  Gardiner’s 
life.  Hitherto,  with  a grand  object  before  him,  the 
pursuit  of  which  occupied  his  energies  and  employed 
his  thoughts,  he  had  the  solace  of  domestic  life  in 
his  disappointments  and  difficulties.  It  was  now 
time  that  the  education  of  his  children  should  be 
attended  to,  with  more  method  than  was  possible 
when  their  home  wTas  so  uncertain.  Henceforth  his 
journeys  were  to  be  taken  alone. 

His  first  effort,  on  reaching  England,  was  to  press 
on  the  attention  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society, 
the  propriety  of  founding  a mission  in  Patagonia. 
But  their  financial  difficulties  obliged  them  to  turn 
a deaf  ear  to  this  proposal,  as  they  had  been  forced 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


157 


to  do  on  similar  appeals  for  enlarging  and  extend- 
ing their  missions  in  India  and  Africa. 

The  same  ill-success  was  experienced  on  applica- 
tion to  the  Wesleyan  and  London  Missionary  Soci- 
eties.* He  also  printed  an  earnest  appeal,  hoping 
that  some  of  his  fellow-Christians  might  come  for- 
ward to  aid  him  in  forming  a society  for  the  special 
benefit  of  South  America.  A few  extracts  ar# 
given : — 

“ By  the  good  providence  of  God  I have  lately 
returned  from  South  America,  where,  after  endea- 
vouring for  more  than  three  years  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  entrance  of  a missionary  among  the 
native  tribes  of  the  southern  section  of  that  conti- 
nent, it  has  pleased  the  Lord  at  length  to  vouchsafe 
as  much  success  as  I could  have  anticipated.  The 
Patagonians  are  willing  to  be  instructed ; my  tent 
and  my  baggage  remain  among  them  ; and,  but  for 
the  accounts  which  were  received  of  the  reductions, 
which  it  had  become  necessary  for  the  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society  to  make  in  many  of  their  stations, 
and  the  impossibility,  under  existing  circumstances, 
of  their  being  able  to  undertaking  any  new  mission, 
I should  at  this  present  moment  have  been  residing 
with  my  family  among  them. 

“ These  tidings,  which  were  received  only  a few 
months  ago,  occasioned  our  immediate  return,  not 
being  able  alone  at  our  own  cost,  and  having  no 

* See  extract  from  one  of  his  letters,  p.  228. 


14 


158 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


authorized  missionary  "with  us,  to  occupy  the 
ground.  . . . 

“ Let  us  remember  Him  who,  though  he  was 
rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  became  poor ; who  willeth 
that  all  men  should  be  saved  and  come  to  the  know- 
ledge of  the  truth;  and  who  will  not  be  satisfied, 
until  he  has  received  the  fulness  of  that  harvest, 
tjhich  the  travail  of  his  soul  is  still  ripening ; until 
many,  from  the  East  and  from  the  West,  from  out 
of  all  kindreds,  and  nations,  and  tongues,  shall  be 
gathered  into  his  fold,  and  sit  down  with  Abraham, 
and  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  in  the  kingdom  of  his 
Father. 

“ That  the  God  of  all  grace  and  truth,  who  can 
bring  strength  out  of  weakness,  and  can  make  the 
feeblest  instruments  subservient  to  his  glory,  may 
vouchsafe  his  blessing  upon  this  humble  endeavour 
in  his  name,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of 

“Your  faithful  and  sincere  friend, 

“Allen  F.  Gardiner. 

“ March  13  th,  1843.” 

There  was  little  response  to  this  appeal ; for  the 
disasters  which  had  overtaken  the  Zulu  Mission  had 
tended  greatly  to  cool  the  enthusiasm  of  those  who 
had  been  warm  in  the  cause.  South  America,  too, 
did  not  come  within  the  range  of  their  sympathy, 
as  did  Africa  and  India ; but  believing  it  to  be  the 
“natural  inheritance  of  pope  and  pagan,”  seemed 
disposed  to  leave  it  to  its  fate. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


159 


Gardiner,  however,  who  did  not  understand  hesi- 
tation, was  not  to  be  turned  from  his  great  purpose, 
even  when  meeting  with  such  a cold  response  from 
his  friends.  He  believed  that  a good  prospect  was 
now  opening  for  a mission  in  Patagonia,  and  he  was 
determined  to  employ  the  pause  now  forced  upon 
him,  in  circulating  the  word  of  God  among  the 
Spanish-speaking  inhabitants  of  South  America.; 
and  any  success  which  he  might  meet  with  in  the 
attempt,  must  prove  to  the  friends  of  missions  at 
home,  that  earlier  efforts  might  have  resulted  in 
earlier  success.  From  the  time  when  the  Chilian 
government  had  allowed  a case  of  Bibles  to  pass 
through  the  custom-house  of  Valparaiso,  he  felt  that 
a great  opening  existed  for  their  circulation  through- 
out the  South  American  republics ; for,  if  admitted 
in  Chili,  it  was  not  likely  they  would  be  rejected 
elsewhere.  He  now  resolved  to  try  whether  the 
government  permission  would  be  negatived  by  the 
local  influence  of  the  priests. 

In  his  contemplated  enterprise,  he  never  lost 
sight  of  the  effect  which  any  success  he  might  meet 
with  must  have  on  his  great  object,  namely,  a mis- 
sion to  Patagonia,  as  a key  to  the  heathens  of  South 
America.  Having  obtained  a grant  of  Bibles,  Tes- 
taments, books,  and  tracts,  he  once  more  sailed  to- 
ward the  southern  continent,  resolved  to  prove 
whether  or  not  it  was  possible  to  circulate  the  Scrip- 
tures in  the  interior  provinces,  in  the  very  heart  of 
the  country,  among  the  Spanish  population. 


160 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


Seven  (lays  after  sailing  from  Falmouth,  the 
packet  reached  Madeira,  where  they  remained  two 
days.  This  gave  Captain  Gardiner  an  opportunity 
of  visiting  Dr.  Kalley,  a Scotcli  missionary  whom 
he  found  in  prison.  Ilis  only  crime  was  circulating 
tracts  and  Bibles,  which  brought  upon  himself  the 
fierce  indignation  of  the  authorities.  Still  he  went 
on,  quietly  and  steadily,  and  succeeded  in  setting 
on  foot  several  schools,  in  which  no  other  books 
than  the  Bible  and  the  spelling  book  were  used.  In 
order  to  stop  these  proceedings,  Dr.  Kalley  was  im- 
prisoned, and  some  of  his  schools  were  closed. 

Gardiner  found  him  in  a comfortable  room,  pro- 
vided for  him  by  a friend ; his  wife  and  mother 
were  with  him.  They  had  a very  earnest  conversa- 
tion together,  on  the  subject  which  was  in  the  heart 
of  both,  and  on  taking  his  leave,  our  missionary 
pioneer  felt  encouraged  rather  than  depressed,  in 
his  present  purpose,  from  witnessing  the  all-sustain- 
ing effect  of  divine  grace  on  the  happy  family  he 
was  just  leaving  in  prison. 

Three  weeks  after  leaving  Madeira,  the  vessel 
made  the  port  of  Pernambuco,  and  Gardiner  finding 
a Sardinian  schooner  bound  to  the  river  Plate,  he 
made  arrangements  for  his  books  to  be  forwarded 
to  Buenos  Ayres,  and  after  finding  some  difficulty 
in  gaining  a passage,  sailed  for  Monte  Video.  In 
consequence  of  new's  brought  by  a coasting  vessel, 
there  was  some  doubt  entertained  of  the  possibility 
of  proceeding  to  Monte  Video,  as  General  llosas 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


161 


had  blockaded  the  harbour.  While  the  rest  were 
occupied  in  discussing  the  probable  settlement  of 
this  quarrel,  Captain  Gardiner  retired  to  his  cabin 
for  solemn  prayer,  that  he  might  be  guided  and  pro- 
tected by  wisdom  and  power  from  above,  on  the 
difficult  mission  now  before  him. 

From  an  officer  who  came  on  board  from  a boat 
belonging  to  the  man-of-war  brig  Republic  ana,  they 
learned  that,  although  a close  blockade  was  kept  up 
by  the  Buenos  Ayres  squadron,  no  impediment 
would  now  be  offered  to  the  further  progress  of  the 
schooner.  They  accordingly  reached  Monte  Video 
harbour  in  safety,  but  hearing  that  another  schooner 
was  to  sail  the  same  evening  for  Buenos  Ayres, 
Gardiner  determined  to  proceed,  and  conveyed  his 
baggage  on  board  before  landing. 

On  the  following  morning  the  schooner  arrived  at 
Buenos  Ayres.  It  happened  to  be  a feast  day,  and 
no  sooner  was  Gardiner’s  baggage  landed  on  the 
beach,  than  the  officer  of  the  custom-house,  after 
grumbling  at  their  being  brought  to  him  on  a feast 
day,  ordered  them  to  be  placed  in  durance  till  the 
custom-house  should  be  opened  on  the  following 
morning.  So  all  boxes  were  carried  off,  and  there 
was  nothing  left  for  Gardiner,  but  to  yield  to  what 
could  not  be  helped. 

As  he  had  arrived  before  his  books,  he  employed 
the  interval  in  preparing  a wagon  for  his  journey, 
and  getting  certain  tracts  which  he  had  arranged 
on  the  voyage,  translated  into  Spanish. 

u*' 


162 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


In  answer  to  an  inquiry  about  the  sale  of  Spanish 
Bibles,  an  English  bookseller  stated  that  he  had 
been  supplied  with  some,  but  they  would  not  sell, 
being  the  wrong  sort ; that  is,  they  had  blue  edges 
instead  of  red.  Blue  was  the  colour  adopted  by  the 
Monte  Yideans  in  the  war,  therefore  blue  edges  dis- 
qualified a Bible  from  being  of  use  to  a Buenos 
Ayrean  ! 

On  the  11th  of  November,  his  wagon  with  the 
required  number  of  horses  and  peones,  entered  the 
wide  plains  of  the  Pampas.  As  they  advanced, 
the  clover  with  its  varied  flowers  ornamented  the 
plains  ; but  the  most  remarkable  sight  was  the  large 
waving  tract  of  thistles,  which  were  often  seven  feet 
high.  The  post-houses  on  the  road  afforded  tolera- 
ble accommodation  for  the  night  to  one  who  was  not 
very  fastidious.  Here  and  there  rumours  were  heard 
of  the  Indians,  who,  taking  advantage  of  the  war 
among  the  white  population,  had  made  nine  preda- 
tory expeditions  during  the  last  six  months,  carry- 
ing off  women  and  children,  and  driving  away  cattle. 
These  ominous  reports  were,  however,  balanced  by 
a little  local  knowledge.  The  thistles,  which  are  so 
annoying  to  the  postilions,  are,  as  soon  as  they 
reach  their  full  growth,  a protection  to  travellers 
from  the  incursions  of  bare-legged  Indians.  The 
thistle  district  extended  to  the  limits  of  the  Buenos 
Ayrean  province. 

They  novT  entered  the  province  of  Santa  Fe. 
The  thistles  were  at  first  higher  than  the  top  of  a 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


163 


man’s  head  on  horseback  ; but  as  the  road  became 
dear  of  thistles,  it  deepened  in  mud,  and  the  ru- 
mours of  Indian  attacks  became  more  threatening. 

Nothing  could  induce  Captain  Gardiner  to  travel 
on  Sunday.  Even  in  this  dangerous  part  of  the 
road  he  kept  to  his  determination,  though  it  was  im- 
possible to  ascertain  whether  the  reports  were  false 
or  true.  He  had  planned  to  rest  for  the  Sunday  at 
the  post-house  of  Esquina  de  la  Guardia,  but  news 
arriving  of  an  expected  attack  on  that  very  post- 
house,  he  waited  for  further  intelligence,  and  spent 
the  Sunday  where  he  then  was.  On  Monday  morn- 
ing it  was  ascertained  that  the  story  of  the  Indians 
was  a false  alarm.  A party  of  gauchos,  or  Span- 
iards of  the  Pampas,  had  been  mistaken  for  them. 

On  entering  the  province  of  Cordova,  there  was 
little  further  danger  from  the  Indians,  who  are  kept 
in  perpetual  check  by  the  Cordovese  government. 
They  had  now  been  twelve  days  on  their  journey, 
when  the  Cordova  hills  were  seen  in  the  distance, 
at  first  appearing  but  little  elevated  above  the 
plain,  hut  the  very  glimpse  of  a rising  ground  was 
charming,  after  a long,  dreary,  desolate  journey  on 
an  almost  level  ground  for  five  hundred  miles. 

A river  separated  them  from  what  may  be  called 
the  tangled  and  thorny  district.  The  shrubs  and 
mimosa  trees  were  delightful  to  look  at,  but  not  so 
pleasant  to  pass  through.  The  peones  protect  them- 
selves with  a piece  of  hide,  slung  over  the  horse’s 
neck  before  the  saddle,  and  strapped  underneath. 


164 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


In  every  village  is  a rude  mill  for  grinding  corn, 
standing  in  an  open  place  at  the  entrance,  quite  un- 
protected, and  evidently  public  property.  Before 
reaching  the  city  of  Cordova  they  were  stopped  by 
a river,  which  it  was  impossible  to  cross  without  ad- 
ditional help.  Being  obliged  to  remain  here  over 
night,  Gardiner  made  a pleasant  acquaintance  with 
an  English  medical  man,  Dr.  Gordon,  who  gave  him 
much  useful  information,  lie  resided  in  Cordova, 
and  in  the  morning  rode  on  homewards,  requesting 
Gardiner  to  call  upon  him  as  soon  as  he  reached 
the  city. 

At  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  24th  of 
November,  the  wagon,  with  four  mounted  peones, 
entered  the  deserted  streets ; it  was  the  hour  of 
siesta — every  one  was  enjoying  sweet  sleep.  The 
officer  of  the  customs  had  retired  for  a nap,  so  the 
traveller  had  nothing  to  do  but  pace  the  silent 
street,  and  wonder  what  would  be  the  effect  of  a 
universal  siesta  if  introduced  into  England. 

Not  a shop  was  open.  But  while  Gardiner  was 
thus  wandering  round,  an  elderly  lady,  whose  curi- 
osity had  overcome  her  desire  for  slumber,  appeared 
at  the  door  of  a house  and  invited  him  to  enter  and 
rest  himself,  only  asking  him,  by  way  of  recom- 
pense, that  he  would  tell  her  whence  he  came, 
whither  lie  was  going,  and  what  his  business  was. 
Before  these  queries  could  be  satisfactorily  an- 
swered, the  custom-house  officer  appeared,  and 
speedily  inspecting  the  baggage,  suffered  the  cases 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGTA. 


165 


of  books  to  pass  without  examination.  Captain 
Gardiner  then  proceeded  to  call  on  others,  but  the 
answer  was  ever,  “ dormiendo.” 

In  the  evening,  Gardiner  had  an  interview  with 
Dr.  Gordon  and  the  Governor.  When  the  object 
of  the  present  journey  was  explained,  the  latter 
became  very  reserved,  but  offered  no  opposition  ; 
and  in  answer  to  his  request  gave  him  two  letters, 
to  the  governors  of  Estero  and  Tucuman. 

Leaving  Cordova  on  the  next  morning,  he  was 
requested  at  the  first  post-house,  to  take  the  letter- 
bags  in  his  wagon,  so  that  the  letter-carrier  might 
act  as  postilion.  He  did  so  for  one  stage,  but  de- 
clined any  further  service,  not  liking  the  responsi- 
bility of  a South  American  postman,  so  the  pack- 
ages were  tied  up  in  an  old  poncho,  swung  across  a 
horse’s  back,  and  the  whole  entrusted  to  the  guid- 
ance of  a lad. 

The  detention  at  Cordova  was  fortunate  for  Gar- 
diner, as,  had  he  stopped  at  a certain  post-house,  no 
» human  power  could  have  saved  him  from  certain 
robbery,  and  possible  murder.  As  it  was,  the  wagon 
passed  safely  by.  The  province  of  Cordova  abounds 
in  thorny  mimosa,  and  a variety  of  palm-trees,  one 
of  which  has  large  fan-like  leaves,  with  every  point 
armed  with  a sharp  spike,  and  each  leaf  divided 
almost  to  the  stem. 

When  the  horses  are  turned  loose  in  the  evening, 
it  is  necessary,  in  a country  so  covered  with  bushes, 
to  have  a bell  slung  round  the  neck  of  one  of  them, 


166 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


and  even  then  they  are  often  difficult  to  catch. 
Gardiner,  as  they  entered  the  province  of  Santiago, 
found  the  road  very  bad ; in  one  part  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  hire  twenty  horses,  to  drag  the  wagon 
through  swamps  and  quagmires. 

The  post-masters  were,  here  and  there,  willing  to 
receive  tracts.  At  the  post-house  of  Juanilla,  the 
conductor  of  a troop  of  caravans  saw  Gardiner 
giving  a few  tracts  to  the  post-master,  and  asked 
for  some  for  himself,  promising  to  circulate  them. 

After  an  eight  days’  journey,  Santiago  was  reached, 
where  Gardiner,  being  provided  with  letters  of  in- 
troduction from  Dr.  Gordon,  was  received  with 
much  hospitality.  Great  curiosity  to  see  the  Bibles 
was  exhibited.  One  box  was  opened,  but  the  visit- 
ors were  determined  to  see  the  contents  of  another 
box.  They  handed  the  books  about,  examining  the 
binding,  paper,  and  type,  but  showed  no  signs  of 
quitting  the  room  until  eleven  o’clock  at  night,  when 
a second  box  was  opened  and  an  arrangement  made 
for  a regular  sale  next  day. 

Soon  after  breakfast,  some  ladies  came  to  pur- 
chase books ; several  friars  wanted  novels  and 
medical  books,  but  no  Bibles.  The  room  was  soon 
filled  with  purchasers,  but  as  they  handed  books 
about  to  each  other,  and  so  intermixed  volumes, 
there  was  so  much  confusion  that  it  was  impossible 
to  keep  an  exact  account  of  the  books  sold.  Never- 
theless, it  was  gratifying  to  find  such  a demand. 
A gentleman  came  forward  and  offered  to  help  in 


PIONEERS  OP  PUEGIA. 


167 


the  task  of  selling  the  books,  and  when  this  labo- 
rious day  was  over,  the  two  salesmen  determined  to 
make  better  arrangements,  if  possible,  for  the  next 
day.  Don  Jose  provided  two  tables  as  a sort  of 
counter,  and  Captain  Gardiner  began  at  daylight 
arranging  all  his  books  on  the  tables  for  sale ; all 
the  time,  however,  loud  knockings  at  the  door  were 
heard,  and  many  inquiries  were  made,  as  to  when 
the  sale  would  commence. 

When  all  was  ready,  he  went  out,  locking  the 
door  behind  him,  and  proceeded  on  an  errand  which 
few  other  persons  would  have  delayed  so  long. 
Before  leaving  England,  he  had  caught  a severe 
cold,  which  ended  in  ulceration  of  the  throat.  The 
inflammation,  which  was  not  subdued  on  the  voyage, 
was  increased  on  the  journey  from  Buenos  Ayres 
to  Cordova,  but  his  eagerness  to  proceed  was  so 
great,  that  he  gave  it  no  attention  there.  But  now, 
the  heat  of  the  previous  day’s  sale,  and  the  neces- 
sity of  so  much  talking,  increased  the  pain  and  inflam- 
mation, and  he  felt  himself  obliged  to  consult  a 
physician,  who  advised  him  to  trifle  with  it  no  longer, 
and  ordered  a blister.  Gardiner  having  made  up 
his  mind  to  do  so,  when  he  reached  Tucuman,  that 
is,  in  four  or  five  days’  time  after  another  severe 
journey,  went  back  to  his  room  for  another  day’s 
sale  of  books. 

The  place  was  crowded  and  the  sale  rapid;  never- 
theless, in  the  course  of  the  day,  it  was  whispered 
about  that  the  foreigner  was  not  a good  Catholic, 


1G8 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


and  a silver  crucifix  was  thereupon  handed  round 
to  be  kissed.  It  was  presented  to  him,  but  his  re- 
fusal produced  no  demonstration — the  sale  went  on. 
The  governor  sent  for  a tract  by  name,  and  a lady, 
whose  character  for  kindness  and  charity  stood  very 
high,  assisted  in  the  sale,  taking  the  place  of  Don 
Jos(j  when  he  was  obliged  to  be  absent.  Many 
pleasant  incidents  occurred,  which,  to  relate,  we 
fear  would  tire  our  readers,  but  served  greatly  to 
encourage  Gardiner,  who,  after  I'emaining  at  San- 
tiago five  days,  commenced  his  journey  to  Tucu- 
man. 

The  Sunday  was  spent  in  a post-house,  but  not  in 
quiet ; the  post-master  annoyed  him  with  his  com- 
pany. The  journey,  although  most  unpleasant,  was, 
happily,  a short  one ; the  sand  flew  in  clouds,  as  in 
an  African  desert,  and  the  dust  was  so  great,  that 
often  the  two  nearest  postilions  were  not  to  be  seen  ; 
all  threatening  serious  results  to  a traveller  with  a 
severely  inflamed  throat.  The  sun  struck  with  such 
force  through  the  canvas  covering,  that  the  wagon 
became  heated  like  an  oven.  The  little  grass  that 
appeared  was  dry  and  parched.  The  first  sight  of 
Tucuman  was  pleasant  indeed,  for  here  he  might 
rest. 

The  governor  received  Captain  Gardiner  with 
great  civility.  It  was  soon  rumoured  throughout  the 
town,  that  large  cases  of  books  were  to  be  sold  on 
the  following  day.  Before  retiring  to  rest,  Gardi- 
ner applied  the  blister,  which  the  French  physician 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


169 


at  Santiago  had  ordered,  and  before  the  sale  com- 
menced, he  had  a little  experience  of  the  Tucuman 
method  of  curing  a sore  throat.  His  landlady  of- 
fered to  dress  the  blister,  which  she  did,  by  first 
spreading  an  ointment  on  two  vine-leaves,  and  then 
taking  off  the  blister.  This  she  accomplished  with 
great  rapidity,  taking  off  the  skin  also,  and  then 
laid  the  vine-leaves  on  the  bare  flesh,  producing  in- 
tense agony ; at  which  the  operator  was,  by  no 
means,  surprised,  although  she  seemed  much  as- 
tonished to  hear  that  this  Saying-alive  system  was 
not  practised  in  England. 

When  the  hour  for  the  sale  arrived,  the  door  was 
crowded,  first  with  peeping  children,  and  afterwards 
with  others,  and  it  was  a hard  task  to  preserve 
order.  Many  books  and  tracts,  with  a few  Bibles, 
were  sold,  when  Captain  Gardiner  was  able  to  make 
an  arrangement  with  a bookseller  to  take  all  the 
books,  together  with  a number  of  Bibles  and  Testa- 
ments. Being  now  at  the  end  of  his  journey,  and 
having  met  with  greater  success  than  he  could  have 
hoped  for  in  the  sale  of  Bibles,  he  thought  it  would 
be  well  to  send  to  one  or  more  of  the  padres  a 
present  of  a Spanish  Bible.  This  he  did,  and  to 
two  of  them  who  were  well  spoken  of,  a parcel  of 
Bibles  was  sent,  also  two  hundred  Testaments  were 
put  in  the  hands  of  Don  Manuel,  the  bookseller, 
who  was  very  particular  in  inquiring  if  there  was 
any  additions  to  the  Scriptures  in  the  shape  of 

notes,  etc. 

15 


170 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Gai’diner  gave  notice  that  he  wished  to  he  left 
in  quiet  on  the  next  day,  which  was  Sunday,  but  it 
proved  a day  of  interruption  and  anxiety. 

About  half-past  nine  an  officer  of  police  entered, 
and  announced  that  the  Curd  had  given  out  in  his 
sermon,  that  the  stranger,  who  had  just  come  among 
them  with  books  for  sale,  was  a heretic,  and  that 
the  books  were  not  proper  to  be  read.  The  officer, 
in  consequence  of  this  statement,  demanded  that  a 
copy  of  each  book  should  be  sent  to  the  police 
office  for  inspection.  Gardiner  informed  him  that 
the  books  were  at  Don  Manuel’s,  and  defended  his 
books  warmly,  at  the  same  time  urging,  “ That 
similar  books  had  been  sold  in  Santiago,  without 
hindrance.”  “Perhaps  so,”  said  the  officer,  “but 
the  Curd  would  object.” 

After  some  further  conversation,  in  which  Gardi- 
ner asked  him  if  he  thought  “ the  Bible,  God’s  own 
revelation,  an  heretical  book?”  he  answered,  “No, 
not  the  correct  word  of  God.”  “Well,  the  Bibles 
I have  brought  are  the  true  word  of  God,  without 
notes,  or  additions  of  any  kind.”  “Still,”  said 
the  officer,  “ there  is  a difficulty.  I myself  think 
the  books  are  good , but  the  people  are  very  ignorant." 
After  some  further  discourse  the  officer  took  leave, 
and  from  his  whole  manner,  which  was  civil  and  al- 
most friendly,  Gardiner  felt  that,  although  it  might 
be  necessary  to  inspect  the  books,  he  had  no  hostile 
influence  to  dread  from  the  public  magistrate. 

When  this  interview  was  over,  other  visitors  came, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


171 


among  whom  were  a young  padre  and  two  students. 
They  came  to  inquire  about  the  books.  The  padre 
seemed  disappointed  when  he  found  there  was  none 
left ; hut  it  did  not  appear  whether  he  wanted  one 
of  them  for  his  own  use,  or  whether  he  wished  to 
discover  its  heretical  tendency,  as  had  been  stated 
by  the  Cure. 

After  their  departure,  Don  Manuel  came.  “ Now,” 
thought  Gardiner,  “ does  he  want  me  to  take  back 
these  proscribed  books?”  The  bookseller,  drawing 
his  chair  close  to  that  of  his  auditor,  and  assuming 
a most  portentous  seriousness,  related  the  substance 
of  the  Curd’s  sermon  ; but  explained,  that  an  officer 
of  police  had  looked  at  the  books , and  having  pro- 
nounced them  to  be  quite  fit  for  circulation , had  de- 
clared that  the  police  would  not  oppose  the  sale. 
Therefore,  certain  of  there  being  a demand  for  them, 
he  would  take  them  himself. 

Thus  a new  impetus  was  given  to  the  circulation 
of  the  books.  Gardiner  judging  that,  although  the 
Church  was  very  suspicious  of  Bibles,  the  State  wras 
not  so,  and  that  the  balance  of  power  lay  with  the 
State. 

In  the  evening,  to  the  amazement  of  Gardiner, 
the  Curd  himself  entered,  accompanied  by  two  other 
ecclesiastics.  He  spoke  in  a most  friendly  manner, 
thanked  Captain  Gardiner  for  the  present  he  made, 
said  that  he  should  value  the  books,  and  concluded 
by  wishing  him  a happy  journey.  In  a conversa- 
tion held  with  his  landlady  after  their  departure,  it 


172 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


appeared  that  it  was  not  the  Cur£,  but  the  Guar- 
dian of  San  Francisco,  who  had  preached  in  the 
morning,  and  had  warned  the  ignorant  not  to  read 
the  books.  So  this  was  the  meaning  of  the  police 
officer’s  argument,  that  though  the  people  of  Buenos 
Ayres  might  be  intelligent  enough  to  receive  the 
books,  the  people  of  Tucuman  were  too  ignorant. 

On  Monday,  a woman  called  to  return  a Testament, 
because  the  padres  had  said  that,  being  without 
notes,  it  was  unfit  to  read.  Don  Manuel,  however, 
seemed  to  have  no  fear  that  the  sale  of  Bibles  would 
be  impeded,  for  if  some  of  the  poorer  classes  might 
return  their  Testaments,  others,  especially  those  in 
higher  stations,  would  purchase  them. 

Having  succeeded  beyond  his  hopes,  Gardiner 
now  commenced  his  return  journey,  but  on  reaching 
Santiago,  was  informed  by  his  friend,  Don  Angelo 
Carranza,  that  the  sale  of  Bibles  had  been  impeded 
by  the  priests,  which  account  was  confirmed  by  Don 
Josd  Maria  Lopez.  The  padres  had  really  “ pro- 
hibited the  Bible  to  the  ignorant.”  Don  Angelo 
went  to  the  Governor  to  obtain  a decisive  judgment 
on  the  question,  whether  the  Bible  was  prohibited  to 
any  one  or  not.  The  Governor  replied,  “ It  is  not 
prohibited  at  all.”  Don  Angelo,  on  hearing  this, 
purchased  all  the  Bibles  and  Testaments  that  re- 
mained unsold,  and  immediately,  in  Gardiner’s 
presence,  sold  a copy. 

It  was  now  clear  that  there  was  an  opening  for 
the  admission  of  Bibles  and  religious  books  among 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


173 


the  Spanish-American  population  of  the  interior. 
He  had  proved  that  no  real  power  remained  to  the 
priests.  They  might  hinder  the  free  circulation  of 
the  word  of  God  to  some  extent,  hut  they  could 
not  stop  it  entirely.  They  might  seize  the  books 
of  “ the  ignorant,”  but  could  not  touch  those  of 
“the  intelligent.”  Having  ascertained  this,  and 
sold  his  books,  Gardiner,  much  encouraged,  travelled 
homewards. 

On  his  way  he  heard  of  the  arrest  of  the  post-mas- 
ter at  Carnero,  who  for  a long  time  had  been  carry- 
ing on,  unsuspected,  a system  of  robbery.  So  great 
was  the  confidence  placed  in  this  Castillanos,  that  a 
friend  of  Gardiner’s  recommended  him  to  stop  at 
Carnero  for  the  night,  on  his  way  to  Santiago.  A 
( providential)  detention  at  Cordova,  however,  had 
induced  him  to  speed  rapidly  by  the  point  of  danger, 
and  befere  his  return,  Castillanos,  with  eighty-seven 
others,  was  arrested  and  confined  in  the  jail  at  Cor- 
dova. 

While  in  this  wild  district,  one  of  the  post-masters 
followed  Captain  Gardiner,  complaining  loudly  of 
his  presumption  in  passing  his  house  without  stop- 
ping, and  insisted  on  his  turning  back,  or  paying  him 
for  his  loss.  When  this  produced  no  effect,  the 
post-master  continued  his  persecuting  attendance, 
and  at  last  threatened  to  ride  with  him  all  the  way 
to  Cordova  and  make  a formal  complaint  to  the 
Governor. 

Gardiner  thought  it  not  improbable  that,  being 


174 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


now  in  the  cut-throat  district,  an  attack  might  he 
made  upon  him,  loaded  his  pistols,  and  refused  to 
exchange  any  more  words  with  the  persevering 
post-master.  He  reached  the  post-house  at  Carnero 
in  safety.  The  new  occupant  showed  great  civility, 
and  gave  him  fresh  intelligence  of  Castillanos,  who 
was  still  in  jail. 

A more  pleasant  scene  took  place  at  another  post- 
house,  where  he  stopped  to  buy  bread.  The  chil- 
dren, to  whom  on  his  former  journey  lie  had  given 
tracts,  now  came  about  the  wagon,  asking  for 
“ libritos,  libritos.  ” 

On  the  30th  of  December,  our  traveller  reached 
Cordova,  where  he  was  laid  up  with  severe  sore- 
throat  and  fever.  Ilis  toilsome  journey  through 
the  hot,  sandy  plains,  had  irritated  his  complaint, 
for  he  would  never  pause  that  proper  remedies  might 
be  applied. 

He  struggled  against  the  feverish  attack  which 
was  prostrating  him,  but  was  obliged  to  defer  his 
journey  to  Buenos  Ayres  for  a fortnight.  In  vain 
his  friends  endeavoured  to  induce  him  to  give  it  up 
altogether,  for  the  present,  on  account  of  the  dis- 
turbed state  of  the  country,  where  gauchos  and  In- 
dians were  formed  into  regular  pillaging  parties. 
Gardiner’s  only  remark  to  all  this  was,  “ When  the 
time  comes  for  me  to  proceed,  I doubt  not  that  the 
God  of  my  mercies,  who  has  hitherto  so  graciously 
protected  me,  will  prepare  the  way  for  me.” 

As  soon  as  he  felt  well  enough,  he  determined  to 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


175 


proceed,  but  he  found  many  hindrances  attending 
his  first  setting  out,  and  the  journey  more  danger- 
ous than  he  anticipated.  As  he  advanced,  he  heard 
rumours  of  an  attack  which  had  been  made,  a fort- 
night before,  on  La  Cruz,  by  “fifty  Christianos,” 
with  two  hundred  Indians.  Several  were  killed  on 
each  side.  Such  is  the  result  of  civil  war.  When 
the  guardians  of  peace  quarrel  among  themselves, 
the  enemies  enter  unopposed. 

Having  arrived  safely  at  Buenos  Ayres,  Captain 
Gardiner  disposed  of  his  wagon,  and  without  loss 
of  time,  embarked  for  Monte  Video,  which  he  also 
reached  in  safety,  although  the  passage  thither  was 
one  of  extreme  peril.  Here  he  found  friends  to  whom 
he  imparted  his  plans  for  introducing  Christianity 
to  the  heathen,  as  well  as  a knowledge  of  the  Bible 
to  those  who  only  knew  its  truths  through  the  dark 
lantern  of  Popery.  He  was  assured  that  if  a Pro- 
testant mission  were  established  in  Patagonia,  he 
might  safely  depend  on  their  raising  <£100  a year 
from  the  Protestant  congregations  at  Monte  Video, 
Buenos  Ayres,  Ilio  Janeiro,  and  Valparaiso. 

A letter  was  accordingly  written  to  the  Rev.  W. 
Armstrong  at  Valparaiso,  requesting  his  co-opera- 
tion, and  Captain  Gardiner  himself  returned  to 
England,  where  he  arrived  exactly  seven  months 
from  the  time  of  quitting  it. 


176 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  X. 

AH  UNSUCCESSFUL  ATTEMPT. 

“ Shouldst  not  thou  also  have  had  compassion  on  thy  fellow- 
servant-,  even  as  I had  pity  on  thee  ? Matt,  xviii.  33. 

Captain  Gardiner  was  not  disappointed  in  his 
hope  of  being  able  to  form  a society,  whose  sole  ob- 
ject should  be  the  evangelization  of  those  coun- 
tries he  had  visited  in  the  interior  of  South  America, 
beginning  at  Patagonia.  At  the  end  of  a few 
months,  a society  was  formed  with  an  income  of 
<£500,  and  Captain  Gardiner  embarked  with  Mr. 
Robert  Hunt,  as  the  Society’s  first  missionary  to 
Patagonia.  This  gentleman  gave  up  the  master- 
ship of  an  endowed  school,  when  he  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  the  Society.  They  very  much  wished  to 
send  out  a clergyman,  but  four  years  had  passed 
since  Captain  Gardiner’s  interview  with  Wissale, 
and  his  promise  to  return  with  a missionary ; and 
now  fears  were  entertained  that  a Chilian  settlement, 
just  formed  at  Port  Famine,  might  exert  a fatal  in- 
11  uence  over  Wissale  and  his  people,  if  further  time 
were  lost.  Mr.  Hunt,  therefore,  was  to  remain 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


177 


with  Captain  Gardiner  till  he  was  joined  by  a cler- 
gyman. 

The  appeal  to  Valparaiso  had  been  warmly  re- 
sponded to.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Armstrong  had  remitted 
,£200  towards  the  first  year’s  expenses,  one-sixth 
of  which  he  guaranteed  as  an  annual  subscription ; 
and  which,  no  doubt,  would  have  been  regularly 
kept  up,  but  for  the  untoward  events  which  so  soon 
followed. 

Attended  by  the  prayers  of  the  Society  and 
friends  of  missions,  the  two  Christian  adventurers 
embarked  on  board  the  Rosalie , which  safely  tra- 
versed the  Atlantic,  and  landed  at  Oazy  Harbour 
in  the  Strait  of  Magellan.  They  had  three  small 
huts,  (one  for  stores,  one  for  cooking,  and  the  other 
for  sleeping,)  and  every  necessary  provision  for  their 
support  for  some  months.  The  wandering  tribe 
they  came  to  benefit,  were  far  inland  at  the  time 
of  their  arrival,  and  the  Rosalie,  pursuing  her 
voyage  to  the  Pacific,  left  them  alone.  This  was  in 
Feb.  1845. 

They  found  the  hut  of  a Fuegian,  who  with  his 
family  seemed  inoffensive,  and  readily  showed  them 
where  water  was  to  be  procured.  Two  days  after 
landing,  Mariano,  a deserter  from  the  Chilian  fort, 
arrived.  He  detailed  many  adventures  and  mis- 
haps which  he  had  met  with  on  the  way,  and  de- 
clared that  he  had  fallen  in  with  a party  of  “ Bravios 
Indios,”  who  had  robbed  and  threatened  him. 

On  the  same  evening,  the  Fuegian  returned  with 


178 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


two  companions,  and  they  were  at  once  accused  by 
Mariano  as  the  “ Bravios  Indios,”  who  had  robbed 
him.  To  the  surprise  of  Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr. 
Hunt,  the  Fuegians,  after  some  demur,  admitted 
the  theft,  and  returned  the  articles  which  they  had 
taken. 

Mariano  also  informed  them,  that  Wissale  was  no 
longer  the  wealthy  and  important  chief  that  he  had 
been  ; he  had  lost  much  of  his  power  and  influence, 
and  was  wandering  about  in  disgust  with  a compar- 
tively  small  number  of  followers.  San  Leon  (to 
whom  Gardiner  had  given  charge  of  his  tent)  was 
in  league  with  the  Chilians  of  Port  Famine;  and 
declared  also,  that  a certain  Padre  Domingo  had  be- 
gun to  teach  the  Patagonians  to  become  “ Catoli- 
cos.” 

This  information  was  by  no  means  agreeable,  and 
our  friends,  in  order  to  find  out  the  true  state  of 
things,  locked  up  two  of  the  huts,  leaving  the  third 
open,  as  a shelter  to  Mariano,  and  set  off  in  search 
of  the  Patagonians.  Laden  with  a gun,  some  am- 
munition, and  a supply  of  biscuit,  they  toiled  along 
the  sandy  shore,  in  the  direction  pointed  out  by 
Mariano,  and  after  a time,  turning  their  steps  in- 
land, they  found  traces  of  the  band  they  sought. 
After  an  unsuccessful  wandering  for  four  days, 
Mr.  Hunt’s  strength  failed  altogether,  and  Gar- 
diner was  obliged  to  leave  him  lying  on  the  ground, 
while  he  went  in  search  of  water.  But  in  this 
lonely  spot,  so  wild  and  desolate,  while  unseen  dan- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


179 


gers  were  larking  around,  and  unexpected  difficulties 
sprang  up  in  their  path,  it  was  inspiriting  to  gaze 
on  the  midnight  sky,  and  mark  the  bold  tracing  of 
the  glorious  Southern  Cross. 

They  had  by  this  time  lost  all  traces  of  the  Pat- 
agonians, and  therefore  retraced  their  path  to  the 
station,  which  they  reached  on  Saturday,  March 
8th.  Most  welcome  was  the  sight  of  the  tent- 
shaped  huts,  where  they  could  find  shelter  at  night, 
and  repose  on  the  Sabbath,  which  was  doubly  re- 
freshing after  their  late  toil. 

In  a few  days  the  Patagonians  arrived.  Wissale 
came  forward  in  a friendly  way,  but  the  first  glance 
at  the  number  of  his  party  confirmed  the  truth  of 
Mariano’s  statement.  There  was  the  same  stalwart 
chief,  armed  with  the  same  handsome  hunting  equip- 
ments ; but  instead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
horses,  he  had  only  ten  or  twelve,  and  his  followers 
were  but  seventy  in  number.  lie  had  grown  poor 
by  his  intercourse  with  the  Chilians,  and  San  Leon 
had  supplanted  him  in  his  own  tribe. 

As,  however,  at  present,  Wissale  seemed  quiet 
and  peaceable,  our  friends  hoped  for  the  best.  lie 
and  his  family  were  hungry,  but  they  were  now  fed 
to  the  full. 

Mariano  had  informed  Gardiner  that  when  he 
deserted  from  the  Chilian  fort  he  had  a companion 
named  Cruz ; that  on  the  way  they  had  quarrelled, 
and  Cruz,  joining  a party  of  Patagonians,  had  re- 
mained with  them.  Gardiner,  therefore,  wondered 


180 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


■where  the  deserter  might  he.  But  like  that  of  many 
a vicious  and  reckless  being,  his  presence  was  felt 
before  he  himself  was  seen.  Cruz  was  in  the  tent 
and  under  the  protection  of  Wissale. 

On  the  next  day  the  chief  came,  but  altogether 
changed  in  tone,  and  seemed  determined  to  pick  a 
quarrel.  He  satisfied  his  appetite  thoroughly  at 
breakfast,  and  then  requested  some  biscuits  for 
his  children.  These  were  given,  by  his  direction, 
to  a man  who  stood  ready  at  the  door,  but  no 
sooner  had  he  disappeared  than  Wissale  repeated 
the  request,  on  the  plea  that  the  man  would  eat  the 
biscuits  just  given.  As  Captain  Gardiner  declined 
being  trifled  with,  Wissale  made  the  refusal  an  ex- 
cuse for  being  angry,  and  wrapping  his  cloak  around 
him,  was  in  the  sulks  the  whole  day. 

The  man  was  changed  indeed.  Some  hostile  in- 
fluence was  at  work.  It  was  easily  traced  to  Cruz. 
Determined  to  bring  matters  to  a crisis,  Captain 
Gardiner  spoke  to  the  chief  in  a most  conciliating 
way ; and  reminding  him  of  his  former  visit,  and 
the  invitation  then  given  him  to  return  with  a 
teacher,  stated  boldly  that  he  had  now  come  an  in- 
vited guest,  and  had  brought  the  teacher.  Did 
Wissale  wish  them  to  go  or  stay?  Wissale,  not 
having  Cruz  at  his  elbow,  said  he  wished  them  to 
stay. 

The  captain  of  a merchant  ship  from  Valparaiso 
for  England,  coming  on  shore,  was  made  acquainted 
with  the  state  of  affairs.  lie  spoke  to  Wissale,  and 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


181 


gave  him  his  choice,  either  to  retain  and  protect 
Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Hunt  as  friends,  or  to 
refuse,  and  he  would  take  them  away  in  the  Com- 
modore, which  was  then  at  anchor  in  the  bay. 
Wissale  now  seemed  quite  friendly,  and  desired  the 
Captain  to  tell  the  people  of  England,  “ that  his 
heart  was  towards  his  brother,  Captain  Gardiner.” 
Had  it  been  possible  to  have  procured  a passage  to 
Rio  Janeiro  in  the  ship  for  Mariano  and  Cruz,  all 
might  yet  have  been  well ; but  on  the  very  day  of 
the  Commodore  s sailing,  Wissale  returned  to  his 
sullen  attitude,  reserving  all  his  friendship  for  Cruz. 
His  appetite  and  demands  were  alike  insatiable.  He 
asked  for  spirits,  tobacco,  and  food.  Once  he  threat- 
ened to  use  his  dirk,  and  his  whole  bearing  was  so 
hostile  that  the  lives  of  our  friends  seemed  to  hang 
by  a very  slender  thread.  His  gusts  of  ill-temper  were 
sudden  and  violent,  and  on  one  occasion,  bringing 
from  his  tent  some  articles  which  had  been  given 
him,  threw  them  disdainfully  on  the  ground,  saying 
that  he  would  not  receive  anything  from  either  of 
them. 

The  Commodore  was  soon  followed  by  the  Ancud 
schooner  from  Port  Famine,  having  on  board  the 
Padre  Domingo,  of  whom  Mariano  had  spoken,  as 
being  so  zealous  to  win  over  the  Patagonians  to  the 
Romish  faith.  The  friar  was  a South  American 
Indian,  trained  up  on  the  principle  of  the  Propa- 
ganda, as  a teacher  among  the  Indian  population. 
He  was  civil,  and  so  was  the  captain,  offering  the 
16 


182 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Englishmen  a passage  to  Port  Famine,  if  they 
wished  to  go.  This,  however,  was  declined,  but 
the  growing  influence  of  the  Chilian  government, 
and  the  increasing  hostility  of  Wissale,  was  so  ap- 
parent, that  Gardiner  was  convinced  that  his  posi- 
tion was  untenable,  and  our  two  friends  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  necessary  to  abandon  Patagonia 
for  the  present.  On  this  trying  occasion  Gardiner 
writes : “ When  God  hedges  up  our  path,  his  hand 
is  as  conspicuous,  and  his  power  and  wisdom  are  to 
be  acknowledged  as  much,  as  when  he  opens  to  us 
the  widest  door  of  usefulness.  ‘Shall  not  the  Judge 
of  all  the  earth  do  right?’  Is  it  enough  for  us  to 
know  that  it  is  the  Lord,  and  that  he  never  cuts  short 
any  work  which  he  has  commanded  us  to  undertake, 
but  for  some  gracious  and  wise  end.  What  we  know 
not  now,  we  shall  know  hereafter.  We  never  can 
do  wrong  in  casting  the  gospel  net  on  any  side,  or 
in  any  place.  During  many  a dark  and  wearisome 
night  we  may  appear  to  have  toiled  in  vain,  but  it 
will  not  always  be  so ; if  we  will  but  wait  the  ap- 
pointed time,  the  promise,  though  long  delayed,  will 
assuredly  come  to  pass.  We  can  know  no  more 
than  Peter  did,  at  what  time,  or  on  what  side  of  the 
vessel  we  are  most  likely  to  meet  with  success;  but 
this  one  word  I will  add:  Having  cast  the  net  on 

one  side,  let  us  not  slothfully  and  unbelievingly  re- 
linquish the  work,  but  committing  ourselves  and  the 
heathen,  whose  souls  we  seek,  afresh  to  the  direction 
and  tender  mercy  of  our  covenant  God,  let  us  now 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


183 


cast  it  in  humble  confidence  on  the  other  side ; and 
who  can  tell  but  the  same  gracious  Saviour  who 
commanded  success  to  the  disciples  on  the  sea  of 
Tiberias,  will  vouchsafe  to  ordain  strength  out  of 
our  weakness,  so  that  we  shall  have  cause  to  admire 
the  riches  of  his  grace,  and  to  exclaim,  ‘ What 
hath  God  wrought!’  ” 

Before  the  schooner  left  Gregory  Bay,  the  Ganges 
arrived,  and  being  bound  for  England,  our  missionary 
pioneers  took  their  passage  home. 

How  little  can  we  judge  of  the  future  from  the 
present!  The  Chilian  settlement  has  long  since 
been  withdrawn  from  the  Strait  of  Magellan,  and 
with  it  the  active  Padre  Domingo. 


184 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  XI. 

BOLIVIA. 

“ But  on  he  went; 

Mountains  and  rivers  never  checked  his  course, 
Nothing  could  daunt  him.” 

Notwithstanding  the  unsuccessful  issue  of  the 
attempt  to  plant  a mission  in  Patagonia,  and  the 
great  disappointment  felt  by  the  supporters  of  the 
cause,  Gardiner’s  views  of  duty  did  not  alter,  and 
he  determined  again  to  search  for  openings  among 
the  natives  of  the  interior. 

The  society  had  hoped  for  at  least  a glimpse  of 
success.  They  had  looked  on  the  offer  of  Wissale 
as  a real  opening,  and,  unprepared  for  such  a change 
as  had  taken  place  in  the  character  of  the  chief  and 
position  of  his  tribe,  they  felt  that  any  further  at- 
tempt would  be  a doubtful  experiment,  upon  which 
they  could  not  expend  public  money. 

Gardiner,  however,  once  more  came  forward,  and 
with  unshaken  resolution  declared,  “ the  heathen 
had  a right  to  be  instructed  in  the  gospel  of  Christ.” 
And  declaring  his  intention  of  going  to  Terra  del 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


185 


Fuego,  he  begged  the  Society  to  fund  the  money, 
and  wait  to  see  what  would  be  the  result. 

This  suggestion  was  adopted,  and  Captain  Gardi- 
ner, finding  that  Mr.  Gonzales,  a young  Spanish 
Protestant,  had  been  engaged  by  the  committee  to 
go  to  Patagonia,  offered,  now  that  this  arrange- 
ment was  given  up,  to  pay  his  expenses  if  he  would 
accompany  him.  The  committee,  hearing  this,  pre- 
sented him  with  fifty  pounds. 

On  reaching  Monte  Video,  he  found  his  friends, 
Dr.  Gordon  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Armstrong.  On  in- 
quiring of  Dr.  Gordon  after  the  fate  of  the  Bibles 
and  Testaments  which  had  been  circulated  at  Cor- 
dova, he  replied,  that  the  priests  had  collected  to- 
gether as  many  as  they  could,  and  having  been  piled 
in  a heap,  were  burned  in  presence  of  all  the  clergy 
of  the  place. 

Finding  the  country  about  Santa  F£  in  an  unset- 
tled state,  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Gonzales  went  to  Val- 
paraiso, from  whence  they  sailed  for  the  port  of 
Cobija,  in  Bolivia;  and  Gardiner,  having  had  some 
French  Bibles  given  him,  was  able  to  supply  the 
sailors,  most  of  whom  were  French,  with  copies  of 
God’s  word  in  their  own  language. 

Having  arrived  at  Cobija,  the  only  port  in  Bo- 
livia, the  two  friends  prepared  for  a journey  into 
the  interior.  Setting  forth  on  a road  at  first  wind- 
ing, and  afterwards  broken,  which  gradually  opened 
out  upon  a scene  of  wild  Arabian  dreariness,  they 
approached  Calama,  where,  having  a letter  of  intro- 
16  * 


186 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


duction  to  Don  Ramon  Elizakle,  they  met  with  much 
hospitality.  Mr.  Gonzales  being  ill  from  fatigue, 
it  was  thought  better  for  him  to  remain  under  the 
kind  care  of  his  countryman,  for  a time,  whilst  the 
indefatigable  Gardiner  proceeded,  attended  only  by 
a guide.  The  way  to  Atacama  led  through  a desert ; 
sometimes,  however,  the  barren  waste  was  enlivened 
by  rose-coloured  everlasting  flowers,  occasional  tufts 
of  an  aromatic  herb,  and  dark-coloured  prickly 
plants,  like  the  balsam  plant  of  the  Falklands.  At 
Atacama,  Gardiner  was  informed  that  the  Indian 
territory  was  close  to  Tarija,  that  the  natives  were 
on  good  terms  with  their  Spanish-speaking  neigh- 
bours, and  that  no  missionary  had  yet  visited  them. 
This  was  confirmed  by  a traveller  who  had  just  re- 
turned from  that  district.  Having  made  prepara- 
tions for  proceeding  with  as  little  loss  of  time  as 
possible,  Captain  Gardiner  was  joined  by  Mr.  Gon- 
zales. The  journey  proved  a very  troublesome  one. 
The  books  were  warped  and  injured  during  the  pas- 
sage through  the  desert ; the  bread  dried  into  rusk. 
The  same  climate  which  scorches  books,  produced 
venomous  beetles  called  binchucas.  But  within 
twro  days’  journey  from  the  desert  are  forests  which 
abound  with  the  little  chinchilla,  whose  fur  is  so  much 
admired  in  England. 

Their  road  lay  over  a tedious  plain  of  loose  stones 
varied  with  a few  tufts  of  wiry  grass.  Sometimes 
it  was  so  steep  and  rugged  with  fragments  of  rock, 
that  the  mules  could  hardly  move  fonvard.  The 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


187 


nights  were  frosty,  nevertheless  they  always  slept  in 
the  open  air,  wrapt  in  blankets,  with  only  one  excep- 
tion, when  they  took  refuge  in  some  low,  sepulchral- 
looking  hovels,  which  were  built  by  the  chinchilla 
hunters. 

After  six  days’  toil,  they  reached  Rinconada,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  which  were  some  gold  mines, 
which  had  been  worked  for  some  distance,  but  were 
now  abandoned. 

The  travellers  found  little  rest  at  Rinconada, 
where  they  spent  the  Sabbath.  The  Carnival  was 
going  on  day  and  night.  The  whole  place  was  one 
continued  scene  of  intoxication,  dancing,  and  buf- 
foonery, and  the  friends  were  exceedingly  annoyed 
by  the  piping,  drumming,  and  singing  of  half-tipsy 
Indians,  until  far  in  the  night. 

As  it  was  impossible  to  obtain  guides  during  the 
Carnival,  they  were  obliged  to  wait  five  days.  One 
at  last  offered,  but  as  it  proved  that  he  knew  nothing 
of  his  business,  everything  went  wrong  on  the  jour- 
ney to  Tarija,  ivhich  they  reached  in  one  month 
after  leaving  Cobija. 

Here  they  met  with  some  friends,  who  gave  fa- 
vourable accounts  of  the  Indians,  and  told  them 
“they  had  come  to  the  right  place.”  They  likewise 
informed  Gardiner  that  although  a college  of  the 
Jesuits  was  once  in  the  neighbourhood,  which  had  no 
less  than  twenty-two  missions  on  the  borders  of  the 
Chaco,  all  were  now  suppressed,  not  one  remained. 
So  the  whole  country  was  open  to  our  pioneers. 


188 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


To  follow  our  travellers  very  closely  in  this  jour- 
ney, in  which  they  met  with  many  adventures,  might 
prove  fatiguing  to  our  readers,  we  will  therefore 
refer  them  to  Gardiner’s  letters,  pp.  292 — 317. 

Perhaps  in  the  whole  of  Gardiner’s  wanderings 
he  had  not  encountered  such  suffering  as  he  experi- 
enced in  this.  Mr.  Gonzales  became  ill ; his  friend 
therefore,  wishing  to  visit  some  Indian  villages  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Pilcomayo,  the  current  of 
which  is  extremely  rapid,  was  obliged  to  swim 
over.  But  after  all  his  trouble  and  danger,  although 
kindly  received  by  the  natives,  the  chiefs  refused  a 
closer  intercourse.  Tortured  by  hosts  of  flies, 
wasps,  and  mosquitoes,  with  swelled  limbs  and  face, 
the  travellers  were  obliged  to  fly  before  them.  On 
reaching  Carapari,  Mr.  Gonzales  was  too  ill  to  pro- 
ceed, and  Gardiner,  hiring  a servant  to  attend  upon 
him,  set  off  alone  to  make  a visit  of  inspection  into 
the  Indian  territory. 

Eleven  villages  were  visited,  and  everywhere  a 
kind  reception  was  given  to  Captain  Gardiner,  and 
a supply  of  provisions.  To  every  chief  he  made 
the  same  request,  that  he  might  be  allowed  to  build 
a house,  dwell  among  them,  and  learn  their  lan- 
guage. lie  told  them  he  was  no  Spaniard,  but  be- 
longed to  another  nation  far  away,  who  had  never 
been  at  war  with  them ; that  he  did  not  wish  to 
deprive  them  of  any  of  their  land ; that  whatever 
provisions  were  supplied  to  himself  and  friends 
should  be  paid  for ; and  that  he  would  bring  some 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


189 


presents  for  the  chiefs.  Hitherto  the  opposition  to 
the  residence  of  a foreigner  among  them  had  proved 
insurmountable.  Various  were  the  excuses:  one 
chief  had  only  food  enough  for  himself  and  family, 
a second  chief  referred  him  to  a third,  the  third  re- 
commended him  to  apply  to  a fourth,  but  the  refusal 
had  been  unanimous.  The  last  attempt  in  this  dis- 
trict was  now  to  be  made. 

It  was  Sunday ; and  under  the  broad  shade  of  a 
forest  tree,  Captain  Gardiner  knelt  apart  from  the 
Indian  villagers,  and  poured  out  his  heart  to  God, 
and  told  all  his  difficulties. 

With  much  patience  Captain  Gardiner  continued 
his  researches,  but  “the  neighbouring  chiefs  did  not 
wish  any  Christian  to  reside  within  their  district.” 
He  returned,  therefore,  to  Carapari,  and  attended 
upon  his  sick  friend ; but  a fever  prevailing  there, 
he  became  ill  himself,  and  decided  on  leaving  that 
place,  hoping  to  reach  San  Luis  in  the  intervals  of 
the  attack,  the  fever  being  of  an  intermittent  cha- 
racter. 

After  a painful  journey,  in  which  more  than 
once,  being  perfectly  helpless,  he  was  obliged  to  lie 
down  under  a tree ; and  suffering  the  most  intense 
torment  of  thirst,  without  having  water  to  assuage 
it,  they  reached  San  Luis,  where  Captain  Gardiner 
was  attacked  with  dysentery,  which  brought  him 
almost  to  the  borders  of  the  grave.  But  as  he  says 
himself,  “Never  was  that  gracious  promise  more 
fully  verified,  ‘ As  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy  strength 


190 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


be,’  than  in  this  journey.”  Removed  into  the  purer 
air  of  San  Luis,  the  friends  recovered. 

Gardiner  had  a most  satisfactory  interview  with 
the  Governor  of  Bolivia,  in  which  the  latter,  after 
hearing  the  object  and  plans  of  our  missionary 
pioneers,  not  only  approved,  but  promised  to  lend 
his  influence  in  the  Congress  in  their  behalf. 

Meeting  with  further  approval  at  Tarija,  Gardi- 
ner recovered  his  usual  high  spirits,  but  this  happy 
state  was  not  long  to  continue.  In  the  month  of 
August,  letters  were  received  from  the  British 
Consul  at  Chuquisaca,  which  assured  him,  “ that 
the  Romish  clergy  were  all  up  in  arms  at  the  at- 
tempt of  a heretic  to  convert  the  Indians  of  the 
Tarija  frontier  to  the  heterodox  doctrines  of  Protest- 
antism,” and  advised  him  to  give  up  the  attempt  as 
impi-acticable.  “All  labour,”  said  he,  “in  the 
Lord’s  vineyard,  in  this  country,  must  be  done  with 
Roman  Catholic  tools,  as  in  this  republic  (Bolivia) 
Romanism  alone  will  be  permitted.”  Nevertheless, 
he  determined  to  go  to  Chuquisaca  and  have  an  in- 
terview with  the  president,  who,  probably,  did  not 
fully  understand  his  plans.  On  the  way  he  met  the 
propio  from  Chuquisaca  with  their  letters. 

Their  petition  had  been  referred  to  Congress,  but 
was  now  returned  with  a negative  affixed  to  it.  By 
the  same  letter,  he  heard  of  the  sudden  death  of 
Mr.  Masterton,  the  British  Consul. 

Gardiner,  having  advised  with  his  San  Luis  friends 
on  the  propriety  of  submitting  a modified  petition 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


191 


to  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  was,  by  them,  in- 
troduced to  that  officer,  who,  after  reading  it,  seemed 
to  think  there  could  be  no  objection  to  its  contents. 
From  thence  they  went  to  the  president’s,  who  de- 
clared he  would  not  oppose  the  petition,  as  he 
would  have  acceded  to  the  former  one  but  for  the 
existing  laws. 

Setting  apart  a day  (Oct.  3d)  for  fasting  and 
prayer,  this  devoted  servant  of  the  cross  prepared 
himself  to  meet  the  issue  with  calmness,  let  it  be 
what  it  might.  On  October  7th,  while  on  his  way 
to  the  minister’s  office,  he  met  his  friend,  Don  Se- 
bastian, who  had  kindly  come  to  inform  him,  that 
the  president  had  notified  to  him,  while  in  Congress, 
that  the  petition  respecting  the  Indians  had  received 
his  sanction. 

Joy  now  once  more  sprung  up  in  the  heart  of 
Captain  Gardiner.  He  thought  the  way  was  at  last 
opened  for  missionary  work  among  the  Indians,  and 
concluded  it  would  be  best  for  Mr.  Gonzales  to  re- 
main in  South  America  and  secure  the  important 
steps  just  gained,  while  he  returned  to  England  in 
order  to  report  progress,  and  send  out  a missionary 
to  join  his  friend,  who  proposed  to  continue,  in  the 
mean  time,  at  Potosi,  and  acquire  the  Quichua  lan- 
guage. He  arrived  in  England,  after  an  absence 
of  sixteen  months,  and  the  Society,  encouraged  by 
the  cheering  prospect,  sent  out  Mr.  Robles,  another 
Spanish  Protestant,  to  aid  in  the  preliminary  work 
of  the  mission. 


192 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  T1IE 


But  whilst  he  was  on  his  way,  another  revolu- 
tionary movement  took  place  in  Bolivia,  which 
ended  in  the  deposition  of  the  friendly  president. 
Thus  the  difficulties  were  renewed,  for,  when  the 
governing  power  was  withdrawn,  the  influence  of 
the  priests  was  in  the  ascendant.  And  the  Society 
at  home,  not  feeling  able  to  maintain  an  infant  mis- 
sion in  the  midst  of  the  confusion  which  attends  on 
civil  troubles,  reluctantly  gave  the  order  to  the  two 
agents  to  withdraw  from  the  station  at  present. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


193 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  RECONNOITRING  PARTY. 

“To  hallowed  duty, 

Here  with  a loyal  and  heroic  heart, 

Bind  we  our  lives.” 

From  the  time  of  Captain  Gardiner’s  first  and 
■unsuccessful  attempt  to  form  a mission  station  at 
Gregory  Bay,  he  entertained  the  idea  of  going  to 
Terra  del  Fuego.  Having  succeeded  beyond  his 
expectation  in  making  an  opening  for  usefulness  in 
Bolivia,  he  now  pressed  upon  the  committee  of  the 
Society  of  Missions  to  Patagonia  and  South 
America  the  practicability  of  commencing  a mission 
to  Terra  del  Fuego.  His  appeal,  however,  was 
coldly  received ; there  was  little  attraction  in  the 
barren  island  of  Fuegia,  with  its  few  hungry  bar- 
barians, to  interest  those  whose  sympathies  can  only 
lay  hold  of  magnificent  projects.  But  the  subject 
had  taken  such  a firm  hold  of  his  heart  and  imag- 
ination, that  he  was  not  to  he  baffled.  His  zeal  in 
the  cause,  his  untiring  efforts  to  raise  the  necessary 
funds  by  his  own  efforts,  after  many  cold  looks  and 
17 


194 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


chilling  receptions,  at  length  awakened  some  sym- 
pathy, and  when  he  proposed  that  an  attempt  should 
be  made  on  a small  scale,  which,  whether  successful 
or  not,  would,  at  least,  be  a step  in  the  right  direc- 
tion and  result  in  improved  information,  they  con- 
sented. lie  proposed  to  take  four  sailors  and  one 
ship-carpenter,  with  one  decked  boat,  a dingey,  a 
whale  boat,  and  two  wigwam  huts,  with  supplies 
for  six  months,  and  establish  a station.  Staten 
Island,  which  lies  east  of  the  most  easterly  point 
of  Fuegia,  was  the  place  selected  as  the  scene  of 
this  experiment.  The  Committee  consented,  the 
preparations  were  made,  the  men  engaged,  among 
whom  was  Joseph  Erwin,  a ship-carpenter ; and 
when  the  Clymene  barque  sailed  for  Peru,  she  bore 
the  reconnoitring  party  on  their  arduous  service. 
They  sighted  Staten  Island  at  the  close  of  the  ninth 
week,  but  the  weather  was  so  tempestuous,  that  no 
landing  could  be  effected,  until  the  ship  anchored  at 
Lennox  Harbour.  Our  reconnoitring  party  now 
determined  to  try  their  boat,  and  landed  on  Picton 
Island,  w'here  they  remained  all  night.  In  the 
morning  Gardiner  read  the  thirty-fifth  chapter  of 
Isaiah  aloud  ; all  knelt  down  for  family  prayer,  and 
then,  proceeding  with  their  observation  of  the  island, 
selected  a spot  for  a station.  The  harbour  was 
named  Banner  Cove. 

The  return  trip  to  the  Clymene  was  both  difficult 
and  dangerous.  The  weather  was  squally,  with 
sleet  and  hail ; the  boat  leaked  and  required  fre- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


195 


quent  baling  out.  Wet,  weary,  and  in  danger,  the 
fearless  little  band  beat  about  for  fifteen  hours,  at 
the  end  of  which  time,  they  ran  for  Lennox  Island, 
where  they  landed  on  a sandy  beach,  tolerably  well 
sheltered.  After  a great  deal  of  trouble,  they 
kindled  a fire,  but  did  not  erect  the  tent,  sleeping 
between  the  folds  of  a tarpaulin  on  the  beach. 

For  breakfast  they  ate  their  last  biscuit;  and  as 
the  weather  was  too  tempestuous  to  permit  them 
going  by  sea,  they  stowed  away  the  furniture  of 
their  boat,  and  after  reading  the  twenty-first  Psalm, 
united  in  prayer  and  set  off  on  a difficult  journey 
overland. 

The  way  led  through  bog  and  forest,  now  travers- 
ing hill  and  dale ; here  assisted  by  an  Indian-path, 
then  forcing  a way  through  tangled  trees  and  brush- 
wood. At  length  the  cheering  “ Sail,  ho !”  was 
joyfully  cried  out  by  one  of  the  party,  and  there, 
indeed,  was  the  old  Clymene  quietly  lying  at  anchor. 

They  kindled  a fire,  but  it  was  long  before  any 
notice  was  taken  of  it.  When  it  was  seen,  the 
captain,  who  had  been  looking  for  his  late  passen- 
gers by  sea  and  not  by  land,  sent  off  a boat  to  as- 
certain whether  it  was  kindled  by  Fuegians  or  not. 
As  the  boat  approached  the  shore,  the  rowers  gave 
a loud  shout  and  fired  a gun,  which  salute  was  joy- 
fully returned  by  our  friends. 

In  the  morning,  some  Fuegians  visited  the  ship, 
and  afterwards,  while  Gardiner  and  his  men  were 
erecting  their  store-house,  another  party  arrived. 


196 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


They  did  not  seem  decidedly  hostile,  but  were  so 
mischievous  and  thievish  that  it  was  necessary  to 
be  continually  on  the  watch,  in  order  to  preserve 
the  store-house.  It  was  impossible  to  keep  the  na- 
tives out  of  the  dwelling-house.  They  made  signs 
for  their  hosts  to  lie  down  and  go  to  sleep,  evidently 
wishing  to  carry  off  the  property,  while  the  owners 
were  off  their  guard.  While  Gardiner  was  writing 
some  memoranda,  a Fuegian  entered,  and  taking  up 
the  inkstand,  poured  the  whole  contents  on  the  un- 
finished page.  They  were,  therefore,  obliged  to 
keep  on  their  guard,  not  daring  to  separate  even  for 
shooting  or  fishing ; besides,  dreading  that  if  the 
number  of  Fuegians  should  be  reinforced,  they 
should  be  plundered  of  all  their  provisions.  It, 
therefore,  became  a very  serious  question  whether 
it  would  be  possible  to  form  a mission  station  on 
shore ; and  Gardiner,  with  a heavy  heart,  decided 
on  abandoning  the  spot  for  the  present.  Before 
re-embarking  with  their  tent,  house,  and  boats,  they 
landed  a couple  of  goats,  planted  some  garden- 
seeds,  and  took  their  leave  of  the  place,  hoping, 
under  more  favourable  auspices,  to  visit  it  again. 

Keenly  disappointed,  Captain  Gardiner  retired 
to  his  cabin  in  the  Glymene , and  thought  over  many 
plans  ; the  only  one  which  promised  likely  to  prove 
successful,  was  the  following.  lie  writes  : “ There 
is  but  one  sure  and  successful  method  of  combating 
the  grievous  difficulty,  which  alone  obstructs  a free 
and  profitable  intercourse  with  these  barbarous  peo- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


197 


pie.  ...  A Fuegian  mission  must  of  necessity  be 
afloat,  or,  in  other  words,  a mission  vessel  moored 
in  the  stream,  must  be  substituted  for  a mission- 
house  erected  on  the  shore.  A large  vessel  would 
not  be  required.  I should  recommend  a ketch  or 
brigantine,  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  tons  with  a 
master  and  ten  hands,  with  provisions  for  twelve 
months  ; three-fourths  of  which  should  be  deposited 
at  the  Falklands.  Further  supplies  should  be  for- 
warded there  from  England  and  placed  in  charge 
of  an  agent  appointed  for  the  purpose.  It  would 
be  advisable  that  the  mission  vessel  should  call 
every  three  months  at  the  Falklands,  in  order  to 
forward  and  receive  letters,  etc.,  to  and  from  Eng- 
land. . . . The  expenses  incurred,  during  the  stay 
of  the  vessel  in  that  colony,  in  providing  the  crew 
with  beef  and  vegetables,  might  be  covered  by  dis- 
posing of  timber  brought  from  Picton  Island,  and 
which  might  be  kept  felled  in  readiness  to  be 
shipped.”  In  conclusion  he  asks,  “ Can  we,  with 
any  consistency  as  Christians,  having,  as  it  were, 
lifted  the  latch  and  crossed  the  threshold,  turn  back 
at  the  very  point  when  we  should  advance,  dismayed 
at  the  cost  it  would  entail,  and  the  sacrifices  that 
must  be  made,  although  the  everlasting  condition 
of  immortal  souls  is  involved  in  the  question.  Let 
us  not  be  wearv  in  well  doing,  for  in  due  time  we 
shall  reap  if  we  faint  not.” 

On  reaching  Payta,  the  mission  property  was 
sold,  and  arrangements  made  for  the  seamen  to 
17  * 


198 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


proceed  to  England.  Gardiner,  however,  remained 
behind  for  a month,  in  order  to  make  another  jour- 
ney of  inquiry  as  to  the  facilities  for  introducing 
Bibles  and  tracts  into  the  country.  He  learned 
that  two  missions  were  in  operation  among  the  inde- 
pendent Indians,  under  the  direction  of  the  Ecuador 
government,  but  also  found  that  the  state  of  educa- 
tion was  at  a very  low  ebb  among  the  Spanish  popu- 
lation. A lady  inquired  of  him,  whether  Europe 
was  not  a little  on  this  side  of  Spain.  A curd  asked 
him  if  London  was  not  a part  of  France;  and 
much  surprised  to  hear  that  Britain  was  an  island, 
inquired  whether  it  was  an  island  in  the  sea.  An- 
other person  of  good  station  inquired  about  Jerusa- 
lem, and  supposed  the  chief  part  of  English  trade 
was  with  Jerusalem  ; and  asked  if  Constantinople 
were  still  in  existence.  He  had,  however,  some  in- 
teresting conversations  on  the  subject  which  lay 
nearest  his  heart.  His  host  at  Palo  Blanco  was  an 
old  man,  and  at  the  time  of  Gardiner’s  arrival,  was 
reading  a summary  of  Scripture  history.  A con- 
versation commenced,  in  which  the  old  man  said  he 
had  a New  Testament  which  was  printed  at  Paris, 
and  when  his  guest  spoke  of  those  published  in 
England,  he  observed  that  they  were  prohibited,  as 
many  of  the  words  were  altered.  Gardiner  ex- 
plained the  difference  to  his  satisfaction.  He  thought, 
with  respect  to  the  adoration  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
that  it  was  well  she  should  plead  with  her  son,  but 
when  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible  was  stated,  he  said, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


199 


“ If  this  be  so,  our  petitions  should  be  made  directly 
to  the  Saviour.” 

Determined  to  leave  nothing  undone,  Captain 
Gardiner  called  at  the  house  of  both  the  curds. 
Finding  the  youngest  abroad,  he  made  known  his 
errand  to  some  persons  in  the  house,  and  left  an 
“ Auxillo”  (a  tract  compiled  of  texts  of  Scripture). 
The  other  padre  was  at  home,  and  appeared  much 
gratified  at  the  present  of  a tract,  and  on  our  pio- 
neer’s referring  to  the  Bible  from  which  the  several 
texts  contained  in  it  were  taken,  he  stated  (as  the 
landlord  had  previously  done),  that  there  was  not 
one  in  the  place.  Never  supposing  that  in  this  con- 
fession he  included  himself,  Captain  Gardiner  asked 
whether  he  had  a Bible  in  Spanish ; when,  to  the 
surprise  of  his  questioner,  he  acknowledged,  that 
neither  he  nor  his  coadjutor  had  a copy  either  in 
Spanish  or  Latin.  “Were  Bibles  prohibited?” 
he  asked.  “ No,”  was  the  reply,  “ there  was  no  ob- 
stacle of  that  kind,  but  they  Avere  very  scarce.” 
He  seemed  to  feel  that  it  was  a great  pity  there 
was  such  a dearth  of  the  word  of  God. 

Gardiner  had  an  earnest  conversation  with  the 
sub-curd,  who  paid  him  a visit.  He  confessed  that 
he  had  never  seen  a Bible,  but  only  some  extracts 
from  it,  as  used  in  their  services.  He  asked  whether 
the  Protestants  had  the  rite  of  baptism  among 
them  ; whether  they  had  bishops,  and  whether  they 
were  consecrated  by  the  Pope,  lie  was  answered, 
that  the  rite  of  baptism  was  used  as  commanded  in 


200 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  Bible;  that  the  bishops  consecrated  eacli  other, 
that  there  was  nothing  about  the  Pope  in  the  Bible, 
that  Jesus  Christ  alone  was  Head  of  the  Church. 
He  then  inquired,  “ Who  has  the  keys  ?”  Gardi- 
ner answered,  “No  man.  The  word  of  God  alone 
opens  and  shuts  ; and  whatever  is  not  in  conformity 
with  God’s  word  will  not  stand  ; the  Pope  cannot 
change  the  words  of  the  Bible.”  The  cur£  took 
these  remarks  very  good  humouredly,  and  told  our 
friend  he  “ought  to  come  and  live  there.”  Gardi- 
ner promised  to  send  him  a Bible,  by  the  study  of 
which  he  would  know  whether  all  he  had  said  was 
true  or  not.  Soon  after  this,  Captain  Gardiner 
proceeded  to  England,  and  took  an  early  opportunity 
of  sending  the  Bibles  he  had  promised  to  Peru,  and 
their  arrival  was  acknowledged  with  thanks. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


201 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

SURGEON  WILLIAMS. 

“ Oil  speed  on  the  morn, — Lord,  thy  promise  fulfil, 

Pierce  the  gloom  with  thy  brightness, — thy  Spirit  instil. 

E’en  now  cause  some  beams  of  the  forthcoming  day 

On  Andes’  cold  turrets  to  flicker  and  play, 

Till  the  sun  in  his  strength  hid  the  shadows  decay.” 

Whilst  Gardiner  was  prosecuting  his  labours 
among  the  independent  Indians  of  South  America, 
another  mind  was  maturing  in  England,  which  at 
its  full  development  would  fit  its  possessor  for  the 
task  of  a pioneer  missionary.  Richard  Williams 
was  the  second  son  of  Mr.  Rice  Williams,  of  Durs- 
ley,  Gloucestershire,  and  was  born  there  on  the  15th 
of  May,  1815. 

In  his  childhood  he  evinced  great  tenderness  of 
feeling,  but  with  that  ardent  and  affectionate  dispo- 
sition there  were  frequent  outbreaks  of  a passionate 
temper,  and  his  strong  determination  amounted  to 
obstinacy.  He  gave  no  indications  of  piety,  but  in 
the  transparency  and  truthfulness  of  his  character 
might  be  perceived  the  germ  of  future  excellence. 


202 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


For  if  little  can  be  hoped  from  a childhood  where 
deceit  is  the  constitutional  sin,  it  is  seldom  but  the 
boy  attains  to  something  noble,  who  “ cannot  tell  a 
lie.” 

At  school,  his  teacher  remarked  that  there  “was 
something  in  him  which  distinguished  him  from  the 

O O 

mass  of  common  boys ; there  was  a character  about 
him  even  then,  which  indicated  purpose,  and  good 
in  the  future,  and  abilities  which  only  required  to  be 
guided  into  a proper  channel  to  make  him  a useful 
man.”  Ilis  father  intended  him  to  be  a mechanic, 
and  there  were  many  facilities  for  his  obtaining 
worldly  prosperity.  But  he  did  not  like  the  mo- 
notonous employment ; he  would  be  a doctor,  and 
not  a plane-maker.  All  the  money  he  could  pro- 
cure, and  all  the  hours  he  could  spare,  were  given 
to  studies  bearing  on  the  medical  profession.  An 
uncle  who  had  acquired  a reputation  in  making  car- 
penters’ planes,  bequeathed  his  thriving  business  to 
his  nephew,  on  condition  that  the  profits  of  the  first 
ten  years  should  be  shared  with  his  sisters.  It  was 
a kind  arrangement,  and  gave  the  young  man  a good 
opportunity  to  make  his  own  fortune,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  his  father’s  family.  But  he  had  other  as- 
pirations. Ilis  elder  brother  was  surgeon  on  board 
an  English  vessel,  the  Owen  Glendower,  and  Richard, 
encouraged  by  his  example,  and  perhaps  haunted 
by  the  brilliant  precedent  of  the  Hunters,  re- 
solved to  imitate  the  young  journeyman,  who  quitted 
the  carpenter’s  bench  to  become  the  prince  of  an- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


203 


atomists,  and  the  collector  of  a world-famed  museum. 
But  the  brothers  Williams  were  not  destined  to  re- 
peat the  romance  of  the  Hunters.  The  elder,  a 
generous  and  noble-hearted  young  man,  died  at 
Madras ; and  for  Richard,  God  had  provided  some- 
thing better  than  scientific  reputation.  Our  friend, 
besides  this  professional  bias,  delighted  in  reading 
books,  and  sometimes  dreamed  of  making  them. 
By  great  exertions  he  accomplished  a medical  course, 
and  having  studied  at  University  College,  and  at  the 
London  Hospital,  as  well  as  having  been  initiated 
in  the  practical  details  of  his  profession  by  a cousin 
in  Oxfordshire,  he  was  able  to  pass  his  examination 
in  May,  1841,  when  twenty-six  years  of  age.  For 
some  time  he  acted  as  assistant  to  several  medical 
gentlemen  at  Norwich  and  elsewhere,  and  eventually,, 
his  brother-in-law  and  sister,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill, 
being  resident  at  Burslem,  Staffordshire,  sent  him 
an  invitation  to  come  and  settle  beside  them.  That 
invitation  he  accepted ; and  by  the  success  with 
which  his  first  cases  were  treated,  he  soon  attracted 
notice,  and  became  a popular  practitioner,  and  a 
field  of  abundant  occupation  was  opening  before 
him.  Distinguished  as  he  was  by  his  skill  in  the 
noble  profession  he  had  chosen,  he  was  even  more 
so  by  the  purity  of  his  character ; and  was  held  up 
by  many  as  a model  worthy  of  imitation.  But  not- 
withstanding his  moral  purity,  and  gentle  and  pre- 
possessing manners,  he  was  entirely  without  re- 
ligion. Warm-hearted  and  manly,  he  was  not  de- 


204 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


vout;  and  amidst  all  his  solicitude  for  the  bodily 
health  of  his  neighbours,  the  salvation  of  their  souls 
or  of  his  own,  had  never  cost  him  a thought.  With 
an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  temperament,  he  had  no 
love  for  his  heavenly  Friend,  and  no  sympathy  with 
that  philanthropy  which  seeks  the  eternal  welfare 
of  its  objects. 

One  Sunday,  a friend  found  him  in  his  office 
reading  a newspaper ; and  asked  him  if  this  was  a 
right  employment  of  the  Lord’s  day.  His  answer 
was,  “Were  my  mind,  like  yours,  satisfied  that 
Christianity  is  true,  I would  embrace  it  with  all  my 
soul,  and  I would  live  accordingly.”  His  visitor 
felt  that  he  was  sincere,  and  could  only  regret  that, 
to  a nature  so  energetic,  and  in  many  respects  so  in- 
genuous, the  gospel  was  nothing  more  than  a cun- 
ning fable ; and,  as  he  himself  declared,  the  Bible, 
so  far  as  his  perusal  of  it  went,  “was  a mere  lum- 
ber book.”  Believing  in  God,  as  a Being  infinitely 
wise  and  just,  and  adoring  his  excellency  as  revealed 
in  his  beautiful  and  magnificent  works,  he  had  until 
this  time  no  belief  in  Christianity,  but  regarded  it 
as  an  absurdity,  and  its  votaries  deluded.  He  denied 
the  innate  corruption  of  man,  and  deified  human 
nature  as  capable  of  transcendent  virtue.  He  hoped 
that  the  soul  was  immortal,  but  never  felt  convinced 
that  it  was  so ; and  as  to  the  existence  of  a devil 
and  everlasting  torments,  he  viewed  the  doctrine  as 
a defamation  of  the  justice  of  God,  and  believed  it 
no  more  than  a bugbear. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


205 


This  state,  however,  was  not  to  continue ; the 
same  Spirit  which  enkindled  light  in  the  mind  of 
the  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  revealed  to  him 
the  darkness  in  which  his  soul  was  enveloped,  and 
his  conviction  was  powerful,  and  his  conversion 
striking.  The  Bible,  hitherto  a sealed  book,  was 
now  a river  of  water  to  his  thirsty  soul.  The  bright, 
revealing  light  made  its  truths  perfectly  clear ; he 
read  it  as  the  word  of  God,  and  resolved  to  make 
it  the  rule  of  his  life.  lie  speaks  of  the  first  period 
of  this  change  as  being  a foretaste  of  heavenly 
peace.  Holiness,  with  its  celestial  gilding,  seemed 
to  tinge  every  object  which  surrounded  him.  The 
Saviour  was  precious  to  him,  and  his  soul  was  filled 
with  joy.  He  wondered  at  his  former  darkness, 
and  was  amazed  that  he  had  never  been  able  to  per- 
ceive the  precious  light  that  had  so  long  been  shin- 
ing in  his  way.  But  notwithstanding  all  this  joy, 
there  were  times  of  occasional  depression,  such  as 
every  true  Christian  has  experienced  on  entering 
upon  the  new  track,  and  for  which  he  could  not  ac- 
count. He  believed  that  the  work  of  renovation 
had  been  so  fully  completed,  that  he  never  could, 
wilfully,  sin  against  God  again.  Darkness  sur- 
rounded him,  he  felt  that  sin  still  palpably  abounded 
in  his  heart ; he  saw  how  great  was  the  inherent 
corruption  and  original  depravity  of  the  human  soul, 
and  great  was  the  bitterness  of  the  moment  of  this 
discovery.  But  he  did  not  relapse  into  his  first 
cold  estate ; but  remaining  prayerful,  although  sad, 
18 


206 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


lie  found  it  was  only  the  first  of  a series  of  painful 
but  important  lessons,  which,  (to  use  his  own  words,) 
“ convinced  me  that  God  had  only  hitherto  instructed 
me  in  the  first  principles,  and  laid  the  foundation 
for  my  faith ; but  that  the  work  of  grace  had  to  be 
carried  on,  and  an  absolute  change  of  heart  effected, 
by  many  a severe  and  fiery  ordeal.” 

At  length,  however,  the  warfare  came  less  painful, 
and  the  peace  promised  to  the  true  believer,  stole 
insensibly  over  his  soul.  Retiring  from  the  whirl 
and  confusion  of  business,  to  the  beautiful  and  quiet 
scenery  of  North  Wales,  whither  he  had  been  ad- 
vised to  go  on  account  of  his  health,  his  mind, 
which  had  been  greatly  disturbed  by  a severe  ner- 
vous disease,  recovered  its  tone,  and  his  body  its 
usual  vigour.  As  he  contemplated  the  glorious  works 
of  the  great  Creator,  as  revealed  in  the  grandeur 
of  Snowdon,  and  the  charms  of  Llanberis,  he  felt 
that  the  God  of  nature  and  the  God  of  revelation 
were  one,  and  he  began  more  sensibly  to  feel  the 
relation  wherein  we  stand  to  the  Great  Ruler,  by 
the  conjoint  link  of  creation  and  redemption.  He, 
the  creature  of  his  hand,  could,  through  the  Re- 
deemer, look  up  and  believe  that  the  Power  which 
guided  the  planets  in  their  course,  would  direct  him 
in  all  his  ways,  and  preserve  him  with  providential 
care.  He  now  was  able  to  discern  how  great  was 
the  love  of  God  towards  the  world,  in  giving  his 
only  begotten  Son,  that  ■whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  He 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


207 


felt  that  it  is  the  First  and  the  Last  who  there  ex- 
presses his  care  for  the  whole  family  of  man,  even 
to  the  most  insignificant  individual ; and  filled  with 
wonder  and  adoration  at  that  mercy,  and  love,  and 
grace,  humbled  himself  before  Him. 


208 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE  AND  USEFULNESS. 

“ Truth  from  the  earth,  like  to  a flower, 

Shall  bud  and  blossom  then  ; 

And  justice  from  her  heavenly  bowTer, 

Look  down  on  mortal  men.” 

“No  soul  can  soar  too  loftily  wrhose  aim 

Is  God-given  truth,  and  brother  love  of  man.” 

It  has  been  said  that  there  is  a certain  tempera- 
ment, and  there  are  mental  tendencies,  from  which, 
if  a man  is  not  content  to  remain  a Presbyterian  in 
Scotland,  or  an  Episcopalian  in  England,  it  may  be 
predicted  which  other  section  of  the  Christiau  com- 
munity he  will  join.  The  Wesleyan  body  is  the 
great  absorbent  of  warm  hearts  and  fervent  spirits. 
In  the  frequency  of  its  devotional  meetings,  in  the 
frankness  and  unreserve  of  its  Christian  intercourse, 
in  the  vigour  of  its  responses  and  the  soaring  rap- 
ture of  its  hymns,  and  in  the  benevolent  vivacity 
which  finds  a post  and  an  employment  for  every 
member,  it  meets  many  cravings  of  the  young  and 
ardent  convert.  It  is  not  therefore  to  be  wondered 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


209 


at  that  one  of  such  an  impulsive  and  ardent  tem- 
perament as  Mr.  Williams,  should,  after  his  conver- 
sion, join  the  Methodist  church.  For  twelve  months 
previous  to  his  great  change,  although,  as  we  have 
already  stated,  very  careless  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion, he  had  attended  divine  service  at  the  Wes- 
leyan chapel,  owing  to  the  esteem  he  entertained 
for  the  ministers  then  labouring  in  the  circuit. 
Nevertheless,  as  he  says  himself,  “in  those  days  I 
would  have  scorned  the  thought  as  an  insult  to  my 
understanding,  had  it  been  suggested  that  I might 
at  some  day  join  the  Methodist  society.  For  them, 
of  all  sects,  I had  the  greatest  distaste,  and  they 
were  a by-word  and  a reproach  in  my  mouth.” 
However,  when  he  had  opportunities  of  judging 
more  closely,  he  arrived  at  a much  more  elevated 
opinion  of  their  Christian  integrity  and  worth  than 
lie  had  formerly  entertained.  He  found  their  fer- 
vent zeal  for  the  cause  of  God  most  attractive  to 
his  now  roused  feelings.  He  desired  that  every 
creature  should  rejoice  in  the  glorious  tidings  re- 
vealed to  himself,  and  could  have  wished  for  a trum- 
pet tongue,  to  echo  salvation  ov6r  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  earth.  In  this  spirit  he  therefore 
presented  himself  at  one  of  the  class-meetings,  and 
received  a ticket  on  trial.  But  all  was  not  yet  light 
within  his  soul.  Most  severe  were  the  spiritual  con- 
flicts through  which  he  passed  ; various  temptations 
came  in  his  way ; his  soul  was  often  filled  with 
darkness  deep  as  midnight ; he  was  often  assailed 


18* 


210 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


by  doubts  of  the  truth,  and  was  frequently  on  the 
point  of  giving  up  all  in  despair. 

The  secret  of  these  distressing  feelings  was  not 
then  known  to  him.  He  had  hitherto  been  trusting 
in  his  own  strength,  and  had  not  recollected  how, 
without  the  aid  of  God’s  Holy  Spirit,  he  could  not 
perform  one  duty  aright.  There  was,  however,  an 
inward  sincerity  of  heart  in  seeking  after  God,  and 
after  a time  of  sore  conflict,  in  which  pride  was 
completely  conquered,  light  was  once  more  poured 
into  his  soul.  He  felt  with  comfort  and  delight 
that  the  Captain  of  salvation  was  with  him  in  the 
contest ; the  grace  which  he  coveted  was  granted, 
and  the  career  of  Mr.  Williams  was  henceforth 
marked  by  warm,  consistent,  and  sincere  piety. 
His  profession,  in  which  he  was  exceedingly  popu- 
lar, gave  him  many  opportunities  of  doing  good 
among  the  poor ; and  on  such  occasions  he  never 
failed  to  urge  on  their  attention  the  interests  of 
their  never-dying  souls.  Thus,  long  before  he  had 
thoughts  of  labouring  abroad,  he  had  become  a 
medical  missionary  at  home.  In  the  year  when 
Burslem  was  visited  by  the  cholera,  the  success  of  his 
treatment  entailed  on  him  enormous  labour : but 
even  amidst  all  the  toil  and  hurry  of  that  anxious 
season  he  found  time  to  pray  with  the  sick,  and  to 
point  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world.  One  other  field  of  his  use- 
fulness must  not  be  forgotten.  He  was  in  the  habit 
of  visiting  the  barracks  at  Burslem,  and  distributing 


TIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


211 


tracts  to  the  soldiers.  In  two  instances,  at  least, 
he  succeeded  in  awakening  religious  impressions ; 
and  those  men  still  maintain  their  steadiness.  After 
he  left  Burslem,  Mr.  Williams  kept  up  a corres- 
pondence writh  one  of  them.  Thus  gradually  drawn 
into  the  work  of  a home  missionary,  Mr.  Williams 
enjoyed  it  exceedingly.  It  'was  an  outlet  for  all  the 
energies  of  his  eager  and  benevolent  nature,  and 
the  impression  frequently  produced,  was  a delight- 
ful recompense,  and  cheered  him  to  proceed.  He 
began  to  feel  that  in  such  labours  he  would  fain 
“spend  and  be  spent,”  and  belonging  to  a commu- 
nity in  which  evangelistic  effort  has  been  an  almost 
invariable  result  from  personal  piety,  it  is  not  won- 
derful that  his  thoughts  began  to  be  directed  toward 
the  missionary  enterprise.  Just  as  his  thorough- 
going enthusiasm  at  a former  period  had  forced  its 
way  from  the  workshop  to  the  college,  so  now 
the  same  fervour,  intensified  and  consecrated,  wrns 
urging  him  out  into  the  field  of  the  Avorld : and, 
although  in  a quarter  little  expected,  a door  was 
about  to  open. 

We  have  already  stated  how  Captain  Gardiner 
had  made  repeated  journeys  of  exploration  at  great 
personal  hazard  among  the  South  American  Indi- 
ans, in  the  hope  of  discovering  an  opening  for  the 
introduction  of- the  gospel,  but  found  them  so  sus- 
picious of  strangers,  and  on  every  side  so  hemmed 
in  by  Spanish  Popery,  that  he  was  convinced  that 
nothing  could  be  effected  among  them  at  that  time. 


212 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


One  region,  however,  appeared  more  promising. 
There  were  no  Romish  priests  in  Patagonia  and 
scarcely  any  European  settlements,  and  accordingly, 
as  has  already  been  shown,  he  there  made  a trial, 
but,  owing  to  the  slender  means  at  his  disposal, 
had  found  it  impossible  to  persevere.  Undaunted 
by  repeated  disappointments,  and  with  his  heart 
full  of  interest  for  the  South  American  Indians, 
Gardiner  would  allow  his  friends  no  rest  till  they 
gave  him  a fair  and  final  opportunity.  Far  away 
as  Fuegia  was,  and  few  as  were  its  hungry  barbari- 
ans, he  unweariedly  pleaded  their  importance. 
Guiana  excepted,  of  all  that  mighty  continent,  no 
other  spot  was  so  accessible  to  Protestant  missions. 
It  wras  the  Gibraltar  of  the  South  Pacific,  and  it 
was  of  no  small  consequence  to  our  mariners  to 
people,  with  friendly  occupants,  the  Straits  of  Ma- 
gellan and  the  coasts  in  the  rear  of  Cape  Horn. 
Above  all,  it  was  the  only  avenue  attainable  to  the 
vast  tribes  of  the  interior — the  tenants  of  the  Andes, 
and  the  fierce  nomads  of  the  Pampas.  As  Popery 
had  closed  the  main  gates  against  the  gospel,  it  was 
of  paramount  urgency  to  seize  and  keep  open  this 
postern.  The  representations  of  this  heroic  evan- 
gelist again  produced  their  impression,  and  his  own 
self-devotion  wras  more  affecting  than  argument, 
lie  put  his  life  into  the  venture  ; otlffcrs  gave  their 
money.  One  lady  contributed  a thousand  pounds  ; 
a new  committee  was  constructed,  and  circulars 
were  issued  ; still  it  seemed  impossible  to  raise 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


213 


money  for  the  execution  of  Gardiner’s  original 
scheme,  and  instead  of  a brigantine  he  proposed  to 
take  two  launches.  Two  launches  were  built,  the 
one  as  a floating  mission-house,  the  other  as  a store- 
ship  and  magazine,  with  two  small  boats  as  tenders. 
An  advertisement  was  inserted  in  the  religious 
newspapers  inviting  catechists  to  join  the  expedi- 
tion, and  this  meeting  the  eye  of  Mr.  Williams,  he 
offered  his  services  to  Captain  Gardiner.  This  offer 
was  favourably  received,  the  committee  were  satisfied 
as  to  Mr.  Williams’s  personal  worth  and  general 
qualifications ; and,  having  passed  an  examination 
in  theology  satisfactorily,  he  was  appointed,  along 
with  Mr.  Maidment,  a catechist  in  the  Fuegian 
Mission.  In  taking  this  step,  Mr.  Williams  relin- 
quished a good  income,  and  postponed  for  a long 
period  some  cherished  prospects.  To  one  of  his 
tender  and  affectionate  spirit,  the  trial  of  parting 
•with  so  many  loved  friends  and  relatives  was  par- 
ticularly severe.  But  he  had  little  time  to  spare 
for  sorrowful  musings,  for  before  he  could  dispose 
of  his  practice,  or  go  to  bid  farewell  to  some  of  his 
nearest  kindred,  the  time  of  embarkation  arrived, 
and  it  required  his  best  speed  to  reach  Liverpool 
before  the  sailing  of  the  Ocean  Queen. 


214 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  XV. 

FUEGIA. 

“ Self-devoted  to  the  Lord 

Home’s  sweet  comforts  they  resign ; 

Trusting  in  his  holy  word, 

On  his  promise  they  recline, — 

Not  in  vain, — their  vessel  brings 
Bounties  from  the  King  of  kings.” 

On  Saturday,  September  7th,  1850,  the  Ocean 
Queen,  bound  for  San  Francisco,  hauled  out  of  the 
basin  and  stood  out  for  the  wide  ocean.  Fairly  on 
board,  and  gazing  on  the  vast  expanse  before  him, 
how  varied  were  the  emotions  which  filled  the  heart 
of  Richard  Williams  ! But, — as  he  tells  us  in  the 
journal,  which  he  kept  not  only  on  the  voyage  but 
afterwards  at  Fuegia,  and  which,  the  companion  of 
his  wanderings,  and  confidant  of  all  his  musings, 
has  survived  many  perils,  and  been  sent  home  to 
his  family, — the  one  above  all  others,  was  a sense 
of  joy  at  the  certainty  of  now  being  actually  en- 
gaged in  the  great  work  of  making  known  the 
Saviour  of  the  world ; and  that,  too,  to  a poor  be- 
nighted race  of  savages.  Now,  for  the  first  time, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


215 


he  met  those  who  were  to  be  his  companions  in  the 
work  of  faith.  Besides  Captain  Gardiner,  there 
was  Mr.  Maidment  the  catechist ; Joseph  Erwin, 
the  faithful  ship-carpenter,  who  had  before  been  to 
Patagonia  with  Gardiner ; the  three  boatmen  from 
Cornwall,  Pearce,  Badcock,  and  Brjant,  who  had 
worked  together  as  fishermen,  and  lived  together  as 
Christians.  All  were  cheerful  and  happy,  although 
they  had  parted  on  that  day  from  all  they  loved, 
and  the  land  of  their  birth.  It  was  not  the  cheer- 
fulness of  resignation,  but  the  cheerfulness  of  brave 
men,  who  have  coolly  made  up  their  minds  to  dare 
anything  for  Christ’s  sake. 

Everything  went  on  most  harmoniously  with  the 
little  mission  party ; the  voyage,  up  to  the  fifth  of 
November,  had  been  a very  fair  one;  they  were  de- 
layed for  a considerable  length  of  time,  by  variable 
winds  and  calms  as  they  approached  the  Line ; but 
had  had  no  rough  weather.  Three  of  their  party  were 
taken  down  with  fever,  which  gave  them  some  ground 
for  anxiety,  yet  all  recovered  remarkably.  “ In 
their  affliction,”  says  Mr.  Williams,  “ the  different 
characters  of  the  three  young  men  were  strikingly 
exhibited,  but  all  gave  evidence  that  they  were  well 
fitted  for  the  work  they  had  undertaken.” 

The  vessel  was  to  land  the  mission  party  at  Picton 
Island,  and  now,  having  become  somewhat  leaky,  it 
was  necessary  to  overhaul  her;  therefore  Gardiner, 
who  intended  to  profit  by  this  unavoidable  delay, 
proposed,  by  the  help  of  the  crew,  to  dig  an  en- 


216 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


trenchment  around  the  site  of  their  future  residence, 
and  inside  of  this  to  raise  up  high  walls  all  around. 
As  soon  as  the  Ocean  Queen  left  Picton  Island,  the 
mission  party  would  sail  on  a voyage  of  discovery, 
going,  among  other  places,  to  Woollya,  a place  where 
Jemmy  Button,  a Fuegian  taken  to  England  by 
Captain  Fitzroy,  was  left,  on  his  return  from  Eng- 
land, after  a three  years’  absence.  Gardiner  hoped 
to  be  able  to  persuade  him  or  some  of  his  relations 
to  locate  beside  them  ; but  if  unsuccessful  in  the 
endeavour,  they  would  go  still  farther  to  the  west, 
in  order  to  obtain  two  or  three  boys  from  a different 
tribe,  and  retain  them  for  the  purpose  of  learning 
their  language.  Two  months  after  the  departure 
of  the  Ocean  Queen  with  the  brave  band  of  Chris- 
tian pioneers  from  England,  the  Committee  having 
received  encouraging  letters  from  the  hopeful  Gar- 
diner, prepared  to  send  out  a second  six-months’ 
supply  of  provisions,  and  every  effort  was  used  to 
find  a vessel  to  take  it.  They  were,  however,  un- 
able to  accomplish  this  purpose ; no  vessel  would 
take  the  stores  there,  and  therefore,  fell  back  upon 
the  advice  which  Gardiner  had  given  them  before 
he  sailed,  to  send  stores  to  the  Falklands,  thence  to 
be  forwarded  by  a vessel,  which  he  had  reason  to 
believe  was  sent  monthly  by  the  government  for 
wood  to  Terra  del  Fuego.  This  information  was 
confirmed  by  what  appeared  to  be  authentic  sources, 
and  the  stores  were,  therefore,  put  on  board  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


217 


brig  Pearl,  which  was  to  sail  for  that  colony  in 
April. 

On  Friday,  November  29th,  they  had  a sight  of 
the  mountains  of  Fuegia,  but  at  a great  distance. 
The  voyage  was  now  nearing  its  close,  and  on  the 
evening  of  this  day,  our  pioneer’s  hearts  were 
cheered  by  a brilliant  flood  of  light  from  the  setting 
sun,  which,  as  Williams  says,  “greatly  encouraged 
their  hearts,”  taking  it  as  an  earnest  that  we  shall 
not  be  altogether  wanting  in  bright  days  and  sunny 
visitations,  and  likewise  deeming  it  in  our  fancies  as 
a welcome  paid  us  by  Fuegia’s  luminary. 

At  half-past  four,  Gardiner  announced  that  the 
land  was  well  in  sight.  Mr.  Williams  arose  and 
went  on  deck.  The  snow-tipped  mountains  of 
Fuegia  were  looming  through  the  vapours  of  the 
morning  sky,  and  the  rugged  land  threw  a faint, 
cold  smile  upon  the  shivering  party,  who  now  came 
forward  to  meet  her  rough,  but  they  hoped  welcome 
greeting.  At  eight  o’clock  they  were  off  the  Strait 
of  Le  Maire,  but  the  wind  being  adverse,  they  could 
not  take  advantage  of  the  tide ; consequently  they 
had  to  lie  off,  and  beat  between  the  two  coasts  of 
Staten  Island  and  the  main  land.  They  had  thus 
abundant  opportunity  for  seeing  this  remarkable 
land,  and  likewise  abundant  experience  of  the  ex- 
treme disagreeableness  of  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
Strait  of  Le  Maire.  The  gale  blowing  strong  from 
the  S.  E.,  the  white  spray  dashing  about  in  the 
wildest  manner,  sudden  puffs  of  wind,  with  ominous 
19 


218 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


gathering  of  dark  clouds,  and  a chilly  aspect  of  the 
whole  heavens,  with  sudden  gusts  of  snow,  or  thin 
driving  sleet,  with  occasional  liftings  of  the  mist, 
and  a few  glimmering  rays  of  sunshine  burnishing 
the  snowy  sides  of  the  mountains,  continued  through- 
out the  whole  day,  and  gave  our  pioneers  an  ample 
experience  of  Fuegian  weather.  It  must  be  con- 
fessed that  if  it  was  a sample,  it  was  none  of  the 
best.  In  excellent  keeping  with  the  rough  and 
wintry  climate  is  the  aspect  of  the  land.  Words 
can  never  do  justice  to  its  frowning,  wild,  and 
wintry  character.  Staten  Island  is  unequalled  as  a 
place  of  dreariness  and  forlorn  solitude.  Its  bare, 
broken,  jagged,  turret-like  hills,  present  the  idea  of 
an  immense  fortress,  erected  by  nature  herself,  and 
seem  to  frown  back  all  attempts  on  the  part  of  man 
to  disturb  her.  Altogether  of  volcanic  origin,  it 
seems  from  a distance  as  though  it  were  clad  in 
some  hard  and  impenetrable  covering,  and,  saving 
the  snows  on  its  ridges  and  slopes,  of  one  uniform 
russet-brown  colour.  It  is  no  wonder  that  it  has 
never  been  inhabited.  Our  devoted  little  band  were 
however  not  disturbed  by  the  gloom  of  these  sur- 
roundings, for  the  light  of  God’s  countenance 
poured  in  upon  the  soul,  reflects  its  own  light,  and 
irradiates  all  around.  Wrapped  up  in  their  cloaks, 
although  confined  in  the  cabin,  and  suffering  from 
the  continual  rolling  and  pitching  of  the  ship,  they 
were  yet  hopeful  and  cheerful.  Mr.  Williams  says 
in  his  journal,  “ Surely  Fuegia  is  the  land  of  dark- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


219 


ness,  the  country  of  gloom  ; a scene  of  wild  desola- 
tion, both  land  and  climate  agree  as  to  character, 
the  one  frowning  and  desolate,  the  other  black  and 
tempestuous.  A few,  and  only  a few,  cheering 
smiles  has  the  sun  beamed  upon  us,  and  the  cold 
snows  upon  the  rough  masses  of  Staten  Island  put 
on  an  unnatural  appearance,  and  looked  more  and 
more  pale  under  the  reviving  influences  of  the  light. 
If  such  the  land,  and  such  the  climate,  we  have 
reason  to  expect  the  people  will  not  fall  short  of 
congruity  with  either.  Well,  how  do  I bear  up 
under  these  not  very  flattering  prospects  ? Have  I 
been  taken  unawares  ? No.  Have  I been  disap- 
pointed? No.  The  hour  has  come;  and  though  I 
have  never  painted  to  my  mind  all  that  I should 
have  to  encounter,  yet  I am  not  any  the  less  unpre- 
pared for  the  trial,  because  I have  not  to  grapple 
with  it  in  my  own  strength,  nor  to  prepare  myself 
for  the  encounter.  I verified  this  whilst  reading 
the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans.  God’s  Holy  Spirit 
engaged  my  soul  in  fervent  prayer  for  grace  to  help 
me.  I was  led  to  offer  up  my  body  as  a living  sacri- 
fice unto  God,  and  with  my  whole  heart  consenting, 
with  my  entire  will  prostrate  and  subjected  to  the 
will  of  God,  that  I might  prove  what  is  his  good, 
and  acceptable,  and  perfect  will.  I surrendered 
myself  into  the  hand  of  Jesus,  with  so  complete  a 
trust  in  him  and  love  to  him,  as  it  was  delightful  to 
feel ; and  experienced  a sensible  manifestation  of 
God  to  my  soul,  accepting  my  offer.” 


220 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


After  beating  about  from  tbe  29th  of  November 
to  the  5th  of  December,  exposed  to  danger,  and  the 
men  hai’assed  at  their  duties  from  drifting  snow- 
squalls  and  huge  seas  like  cascades  pouring  their 
volumes  of  water  upon  them,  they  at  last  arrived  at 
their  destination,  and  cast  anchor  in  Banner  Hoads. 
The  night  had  been  very  foggy,  with  a heavy  driz- 
zling rain  ; but  clearing  up  before  they  anchored, 
which  was  at  nine  in  the  morning.  While  drifting 
off  Picton  Island,  they  saw  three  canoes,  which 
presently  put  off  for  the  ship,  each  one  containing 
a Fuegian  and  his  family.  Though  scarcely  dis- 
cernible with  the  naked  eye,  they  vociferated, 
“ Yammer  schooner,”  (Give  me,)  which  is  their  in- 
variable answer  to  all  questions.  They  also  saw 
five  goats  perched  among  the  rocks,  two  of  which, 
the  crew,  on  going  ashore,  caught ; one  of  them 
proving  to  be  the  original  Nanny,  brought  from 
England  by  Captain  Gardiner  on  a former  voyage. 
He  presented  her  to  the  Captain  of  the  Ocean  Queen. 
The  appearance  of  the  people  as  the  boats  hove 
near,  made  an  indelible  impression  on  all  of  the 
ship’s  company.  It  seemed  incredible  they  could 
be  human  beings.  They  observed  a lapsided  thing 
on  the  water,  not  to  be  called  a boat,  or  realizing 
their  ideas  of  a canoe,  but  so  deep  that  the  heads 
only  of  the  Fuegians  could  be  seen  in  it.  As  these 
dark  masses  of  hair,  like  so  many  mops,  drew 
nearer,  and  the  features  were  discernible,  the  ex- 
pression seemed  to  create  general  surprise.  “ In 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


221 


many  of  them,”  says  Mr.  "Williams,  “on  a nearer 
inspection,  indeed  I may  say  in  all,  the  lineaments 
of  the  noblest  humanity,  and  features  expressive  of 
benevolence  and  generosity  were  present,  though  as 
it  were,  buried  deep  in  deplorable  ignorance  and 
abject  want.  One  woman  had  a remarkably  pre- 
possessing countenance,  very  open  and  cheerful ; so 
had  one  of  the  men,  and  we  were  encouraged  ac- 
cordingly. I had  taken  some  comfort  to  my  mind 
from  the  favourable  aspect  which  the  surrounding 
islands  presented ; but  now  my  heart  swelled  with 
emotion,  full  of  pleasure  and  satisfaction  that  our 
errand  was  for  the  purpose  of  imparting  benefits  so 
great  and  so  much  needed  to  these  poor  creatures. 
I hailed  the  prospect  with  a degree  of  rapture.” 
Such  was  the  cheerful  spirit  with  which  our  pioneers 
surveyed  the  field  of  their  destined  labours.  But 
we  are  forced  to  remark,  they  made  its  acquaintance 
under  very  great  advantages.  Being  December,  it 
was  the  antarctic  midsummer ; and  like  the  climate, 
the  natives  wore  their  best  faces.  They  wanted  food 
and  trinkets  from  the  strangers;  and  as  long  as 
their  visitors  remained  on  ship-board  they  were  safe 
from  tricks  and  violence.  But  before  proceeding 
with  the  narrative,  it  may  be  well  to  introduce  the 
reader  to  the  place  and  people.  We  shall  thus  better 
understand  how  arduous  was  the  task  which  these 
pious  pilgrims  had  undertaken,  and  shall  be  able  to 
sympathize  more  fully  in  the  great  fight  of  afflic- 
tions which  thev  were  soon  to  pass  through. 

19  * 


222 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  LAND  OF  DARKNESS. 

“ O’er  the  gloomy  hills  of  darkness, 

Cheered  by  no  celestial  ray. 

Sun  of  righteousness ! arising. 

Bring  the  bright,  the  glorious  day. 

Send  the  gospel 

To  the  earth’s  remotest  bound.” 

The  outline  of  South  America  may  be  compared 
to  a paper  kite ; and,  like  a kite,  there  is  attached 
to  its  apex  a jointed  tail,  of  ■which  Fuegia  and  the 
South  Shetlands  are  the  only  fragments  seen  above 
water.  As  seen  on  a school-room  map,  Terra  del 
Fuego  is  a dim  islet,  deriving  its  chief  importance 
from  its  famous  headland,  Cape  Horn.  On  a nearer 
inspection,  however,  this  nebulous  patch  resolves  it- 
self into  a cluster  of  islands ; one  very  large,  sur- 
rounded with  a crowd  of  smaller  attendants ; and 
far  from  the  main  land  stands  the  kerbstone  of  the 
New  World — Cape  Horn,  with  his  surf-beaten  pyra- 
mid. Although  heretofore  considered  as  only  the 
fag-end  of  America,  and  in  that  vast  continent  re- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


223 


garded  but  as  the  last  of  the  caudal  vertebrae  of 
the  Alps,  if  found  in  Europe,  Terra  del  Fuego 
would  be  a country  of  some  consideration.  Its 
second-rate  islands  are  larger  than  the  Isle  of  Wight 
or  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  the  surface  of  its  mainland 
is  equal  to  the  lowlands  of  Scotland.  It  has  re- 
ceived its  name  of  Fuego,  or  the  land  of  fire,  from 
its  volcanic  origin,  so  plainly  developed  in  the  whole 
rugged  outline.  Steep  and  craggy  rocks  thrown 
everywhere  in  wild  irregularity ; mountains  rising 
to  a height  of  six  or  seven  thousand  feet,  with 
glaciers  coming  down  to  the  sea,  and  its  frowning 
skies,  render  it  one  of  the  most  dreary  and  inhos- 
pitable regions  of  the  globe.  In  a latitude  corres- 
ponding to  Edinburgh,  the  sky  seldom  clears,  and 
the  rainy  squalls  of  summer  are  the  only  relief  from 
the  sleet  and  snow  of  winter.  Nothing,  however, 
in  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  could  give  a fac-simile 
of  a Euegian  williwaw.  This  ferocious  wind  is 
capable  of  overturning  almost  every  obstacle ; and, 
like  grass  in  a swathe,  not  only  branches  but  whole 
trees  will  sometimes  be  found  piled  up  at  the  mouth 
of  a gully,  where  its  rough  sickle  had  passed.  Not- 
withstanding its  boisterous  summers  and  its  per- 
petual storms,  the  average  temperature  of  Fuegia 
is  about  the  same  as  Quebec  or  Montreal ; and  it  is 
said  that  the  people  of  London  have  days  as  cold  as 
any  which  occur  in  Iloste  or  the  Navaien  Islands. 
The  range  between  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  is 
small,  and  this  comparative  equality,  along  with  the 


224 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


abundant  moisture,  is  favourable  to  certain  varieties 
of  vegetation ; for  instance,  the  fuchsia,  which  is 
almost  everywhere  a conservatory  plant,  grows  wild 
in  Fuegia,  and  with  another  plant,  in  Europe  equally 
delicate,  Veronica  decussata,  becomes  a tree  with  a 
trunk  half  a foot  in  diameter.  The  potato,  al- 
though indigenous  to  the  adjacent  mainland,  has 
not  been  found  in  these  islands ; celery,  a species 
of  currant,  the  berry  of  an  arbutus,  and  one  kind 
of  mushroom,  are  the  only  esculents.  The  charac- 
teristic vegetation  is  two  sorts  of  beech-tree;  one 
( Fagus  betuloides ) is  an  evergreen ; the  other  ( Fagus 
Antarctica ) is  deciduous.  Unless  discouraged  by 
the  thinness  of  soil  spread  over  the  granitic  rocks, 
these  trees  occur  everywhere,  and  if  not  stunted  by 
the  winds,  attain  a goodly  size.  No  one  can  imag- 
ine how  little  charm  is  to  be  found  in  the  scenery 
of  Fuegia,  except  those  who  have  spent  weeks 
among  the  pines  of  the  Black  Forest,  or  the  ar- 
bor vitae  swamps  of  the  Mississippi,  and  under- 
stand what  an  incubus  on  the  spirit  a monotonous 
vegetation  becomes.  Land  animals  are  few,  even 
insects  are  rare,  and  there  are  but  few  flies  and 
beetles;  like  Ireland,  Fuegia  is  exempt  from  ser- 
pents and  even  frogs.  The  most  important  quad- 
ruped is  the  guanaco  or  llama,  that  useful  com- 
promise between  the  sheep  and  camel,  and  in  winter 
it  is  easily  captured  in  the  deep  snow.  Two  species 
of  foxes,  with  a few  small  rodents  of  the  mouse  and 
bat  families,  and  a very  small  number  of  birds  found 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


225 


in  the  gloomy  forests,  complete  the  inland  zoology 
of  the  region.  But,  as  if  to  compensate  for  the 
want  of  life  on  land,  the  waters  teem  with  colossal 
sea- weeds,  so  that  Fuegia  has  been  called  the  “para- 
dise of  fishes.”  These  rugged  coasts  are  the  head- 
quarters of  those  giants  of  the  ocean  Flora,  the 
31acrocystis  and  Lessonia , the  latter  of  which  has  a 
trunk  like  a tree,  but,  nevertheless,  cannot  be  used 
as  fuel,  being  as  incombustible  as  stone.  The  31a- 
crocystis,  instead  of  having  a trunk  as  thick  as  that 
of  a cherry-tree,  is  moored  to  the  rock  by  a tough 
but  slender  cable,  and  rising  to  the  surface,  breaks 
into  leaves,  and  then  streams  along  a luxuriant 
tangle  for  several  hundred  feet.  These  gigantic 
seaweeds  are  the  home  of  countless  molluscs  and 
shoals  of  fishes,  which,  forsaking  brighter  waters, 
resort  to  them  as  to  a well-stored  larder ; and  in 
the  wake  of  these  fishes,  come  armies  of  seals  and 
clouds  of  sea-fowl.  Petrels,  ducks,  red-bills,  pen- 
guins, etc.,  have  their  breeding-places  on  the  cliffs 
of  these  islands.  “ 0 Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy 
works ! in  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all : the 
earth  is  full  of  thy  riches.  So  is  this  great  and 
wide  sea,  wherein  are  things  creeping  innumerable, 
both  small  and  great  beasts.  These  wait  all  upon 
thee ; that  thou  mayest  give  them  their  meat  in  due 
season.” 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Fuegian  Archipelago  are 
South  American  Indians,  and  belong  to  the  Arau- 
canian  division  of  the  great  Andean  race,  a descrip- 


226 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


tion  of  which  wc  have  already  given  in  another 
part  of  our  volume.  They  are,  undoubtedly,  of  the 
closest  kindred  as  well  as  near  neighbours  to  the 
Patagonians,  but  they  are  intellectually  and  phys- 
ically inferior  to  these  stately  specimens  of  man- 
kind. Their  colour  is  something  between  a dark 
copper  and  a brown,  not  unlike  that  of  old  ma- 
hogany, but  owing  to  the  wood-smoke  with  which 
they  are  saturated,  the  oil  and  blubber  with  which 
they  are  smeared,  and  the  earths,  white,  red,  and 
black,  used  in  painting  their  faces,  it  is  difficult  to 
describe  a Fuegian  complexion.  Their  heads  are 
large,  their  long  black  hair  hangs  down  straight  on 
either  side,  but  is  cropped  away  on  the  brow.  The 
forehead  is  very  low  and  broad,  the  black  eyes  are 
oval  and  usually  expressive  of  good  humour.  The 
nose  is  flat  and  thick,  with  large  nostrils,  and  the 
mouth  is  very  wide  and  large.  The  men  do  not 
fancy  long  beards  ; and  usually  pull  out  what  little 
hair  shows  itself  on  the  chin  and  eyebrows,  Avith 
tweezers  made  of  two  mussel-shells.  Many  of  them 
have  trunks  proportionate  to  a six  feet  stature,  but 
from  constantly  crouching  in  their  huts  and  canoes 
their  extremities  are  dwarfed  and  crooked ; still 
they  are  by  no  means  deficient  in  agility,  and  in 
trials  of  strength  some  can  outmatch  an  English 
sailor.  Their  clothing  is  scanty.  By  the  same 
providential  arrangement,  which  coats  the  whale  in 
the  frozen  seas  with  oil,  the  Fuegian  is  fortified 
against  his  inclement  sky  by  an  abundant  develop- 


BOUT  ALIKHOOLI.  FUEGIAN. 


PATAGONIAN  OF  CAPE  GREGORY. 


Both  drawn  from  Liho^apla  taken  of  the  Qngmajs  in  England 
By  Sdrax,  A Myers 


T oir.rlau  V : 


riONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


227 


ment  of  fat ; by  this  underclothing  of  non-conduct- 
ing fat  any  other  garment  than  his  cloak  of  sea-otter 
or  guanaco  skin  is  rendered  unnecessary.  In  the 
coldest  mid-winter,  these  islanders  may  be  seen 
diving  for  sea-eggs,  and  are  constantly  exhibiting 
feats  of  hardihood,  the  bare  recital  of  which  makes 
a European  shudder.  Nothing  can  be  more  wretched 
than  their  habitations,  which  are  always  built  by 
the  women,  who  are  the  only  workers.  We  have 
already  described  the  arrangement  of  their  huts, 
which  are  constructed  with  as  much  rapidity  as  a 
soldier  pitches  his  tent.  A fire  is  kindled  in  the 
middle,  round  which  they  huddle  day  and  night  in 
stormy  weather,  and  they  tarry  in  the  same  place 
till,  having  devoured  all  the  food  afforded  by  the 
district,  they  are  forced  to  wander  elsewhere.  They 
love  ornaments,  and  exhibit  much  ingenuity  in 
making  necklaces  and  bracelets  from  shells  or  bones; 
and  jars  or  baskets  have  been  found  among  them, 
entirely  formed  of  bark,  with  the  bottom  so  accu- 
rately sewed  in,  that  they  would  contain  water  with- 
out leaking.  Their  canoes  are,  perhaps,  a still  more 
wonderful  specimen  of  needlework,  and  are  also 
made  of  bark.  The  main  trunk  may  be  the  bark 
of  a single  beech  ; but  in  order  to  complete  it,  a 
great  many  patches  and  a large  amount  of  stitching 
are  requisite.  With  grass  for  oakum,  clay  for  pitch, 
and  thongs  of  hide  instead  of  nails,  the  builder  soon 
finishes  a boat  which,  after  its  own  fashion,  is  a tri- 
umph of  naval  architecture.  Although  their  com- 


228 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


forts  are  so  few,  they  are  well  provided  with  offen- 
sive weapons,  such  as  have  been  already  described 
as  being  used  by  the  Patagonians. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Fuegian  Archipelago  have 
by  some  been  called  Pesherais,  from  a word  which 
they  are  constantly  uttering  ; by  others  “ the  Ich- 
thyophagi,”  or  fish-eaters.  They  are,  however,  by 
no  means  expert  fishers,  and  although  the  sea  around 
them  is  teeming  with  food,  it  is  but  a scanty  subsis- 
tence the  Fuegian  secures.  lie  has  neither  net  nor 
angle,  and  it  is  only  when  he  is  lucky  enough  to 
spear  a rock  salmon,  or  jerk  the  small  fish  out  of 
the  water  with  a baited  but  bookless  line,  that  the 
“ fish-eater”  acquires  his  name.  He  is,  however,  a 
cunning  bird-catcher,  and  trains  his  dogs  to  aid  him 
in  his  fowling.  But  birds  are  not  always  to  be  pro- 
cured, and  even  sea-eggs  are  not  attainable  in 
stormy  weather ; therefore,  for  a great  period  of 
the  year,  these  poor  islanders  are  entirely  dependent 
on  mussels,  limpets,  etc.,  and  every  time  the  tide 
retires,  the  whole  population  is  seen  spread  over  the 
shore,  rummaging  for  this  sorry  subsistence.  Some- 
times they  are  so  lucky  as  to  discover  a stranded 
whale  or  sea-lion  ; and  no  matter  in  what  state  the 
carcase  may  be,  it  is  always  welcome,  and  imparts  a 
sudden  plumpness  to  the  finders.  Of  course  such 
prizes  are  rare ; and  like  most  savages,  the  life  of 
a Fuegian  is  an  alternation  of  occasional  feasts  with 
long  intervals  of  famine.  In  the  desperation  of 
hunger,  it  is  fearful  to  think  of  the  expedients  to 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


229 


which  these  Indians  are  driven,  for  there  is  no  doubt 
of  their  being  cannibals,  and  not  only  do  they  feed 
upon  the  bodies  of  their  enemies  whom  they  van- 
quish in  battle,  but  also  kill  and  devour  the  old 
women  of  their  own  tribe,  when  other  subsistence 
fails,  before  they  sacrifice  their  dogs.  Their  powers 
of  mimicry  are  amazing,  and  their  memories  re- 
markable, for  they  will  repeat  a long  English  sen- 
tence with  the  utmost  precision  : they  are  notorious 
thieves,  and  shamelessly  greedy ; and  although  traces 
of  gentleness  and  tenderness  are  found  among  the 
women,  the  men  are  universally  cruel,  and  when  ex- 
asperated or  brought  to  bay,  they  fight  with  more 
fury  than  wild  beasts.* 

They  are  very  superstitious,  and  never  speak  of 
the  dead.  When  Mr.  Williams  questioned  a boy, 

* An  incident  related  by  Commodore  Byron  shows  the  fear- 
ful wickedness  which  sometimes  becomes  universal  among;  those 
to  whom  the  softening  influence  of  the  domestic  charities  is 
scarcely  known.  “ A cacique  and  his  wife  had  gone  off  in 
their  canoe,  when  she  dived  for  sea-eggs;  hut  not  meeting  with 
much  success,  they  returned,  much  out  of  humour.  A little 
boy  of  theirs,  about  three  years,  of  whom  they  appeared  to  be 
doatingly  fond,  watching  for  his  father  and  mother’s  return, 
ran  into  the  surf  to  meet  them.  The  father  handed  a basket 
of  sea-eggs  to  the  child,  which  being  too  heavy  for  him  to 
carry,  he  let  it  fall ; upon  which  the  father  jumped  out  of  the 
canoe,  and  catching  the  boy  up  in  his  arms,  dashed  him  with 
the  utmost  violence  against  the  stones.  The  poor  little  crea- 
ture lay  motionless  and  bleeding,  and  in  that  condition  was 
taken  up  by  his  mother : but  died  soon  after.  She  appeared 
inconsolable  for  some  time,  but  the  brutish  father  showed  little 
concern  about  it. 

20 


230 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


hereafter  to  be  mentioned,  about  his  dead  father,  he 
was  very  unhappy,  and  refused  to  answer : “ No 
good  talk  ; my  country  never  talk  of  dead  man.” 
In  the  year  1831  there  were  three  Fuegians 
brought  by  Captain  Fitzroy  to  England,  and  it  was 
hoped  that  they  would  learn  the  language,  and  ac- 
quire some  of  the  arts  of  civilization,  so  as  to  in- 
troduce them  on  their  return  to  their  countrymen. 
One  of  them  was  a full  grown  man,  York  Minster, 
a gruff  and  surly  fellow,  who  could  never  be  induced 
to  learn  anything.  Jemmy  Button  was  a boy  of 
no  great  capacity,  and  Fuegia  Basket  was  a rather 
pleasing  and  intelligent  girl.  Considerable  interest 
was  felt  in  these  visitors  from  the  antipodes,  and 
King  William  IV.  and  Queen  Adelaide  expressing  a 
desire  to  see  them,  they  were  taken  to  the  palace, 
and  received  with  all  the  gentle  kindness  character- 
istic of  the  queen.  After  passing  a few  months 
under  the  care  of  a schoolmaster,  they,  accompanied 
by  a missionary,  Mr.  Matthews,  were  carried  back 
by  Captain  Fitzroy  to  their  native  isles.  It  may  be 
questioned  whether  their  residence  in  England  was 
sufficiently  long ; and  it  is  likely  that,  had  a selec- 
tion been  practicable,  more  promising  pupils  might 
have  been  found  than  Y’ork  Minster  and  Jemmy 
Button.  The  experiment,  however,  proved  very 
unproductive.  On  landing  in  their  own  country, 
Y'ork  Minster  married  Fuegia  Basket,  and  being  a 
powerful,  resolute  man,  it  is  possible  that  he  may 
have  been  able  to  preserve  from  his  rapacious  neigh- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


231 


hours  the  implements  and  manufactured  articles  with 
which  he  was  freely  supplied.  But  poor  Jemmy  was 
soon  victimized.  Ilis  little  garden  was  trodden  down ; 
and  his  goods  were  stolen  : justifying  his  verdict, 
“ My  people  very  bad  : no  sabe  nothing  : my  people 
very  great  fool.”  And  as  the  violence  of  the  na- 
tives forced  Mr.  Matthews  to  return  on  board,  there 
is  too  much  reason  to  fear  that,  left  to  themselves, 
his  scholars  would  soon  relapse  into  the  surrounding 
barbarism.  Such  then,  as  we  have  described,  was 
the  land  and  the  people  to  whom  the  devoted  little 
band  we  have  been  following,  went,  in  order  to 
teach  them  the  words  of  life. 


232 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

FIRST  TOILS. 

“My  wanderings  thou  hast  numbered  ; 

Even  every  tear-mine  eyes  have  shed 
Thy  vial  holds, 

All  in  the  folds 
Of  thy  large  volume  read.” 

On  the  5th  of  December,  the  mission  party  pro- 
ceeded in  the  ship’s  gig  to  a small  island  called 
Dothan,  lying  between  Garden  and  Picton  Islands, 
■where  Captain  Gardiner  proposed  to  fix  the  site  of 
their  intended  dwelling-house.  Here  they  read  an 
appropriate  psalm,  and  offered  prayer,  and  sang  the 
doxology.  The  natives  had  followed  them,  and 
while  thus  engaged,  stood  gazing  with  wonder.  One 
of  them  passed  into  the  circle,  and  now  and  then 
made  an  observation ; but  all  joined  heartily  in 
the  singing.  On  further  consideration,  however, 
they  thought  best  to  abandon  Dothan,  and  choose  a 
site  in  Garden  Island,  from  which  they  cleared 
away  the  large  timber.  To  this  spot  their  bedding, 
cooking  utensils,  and  stores  were  carried ; and  so 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


233 


great  was  their  industry,  that  by  nightfall  their 
tents  were  erected,  and  their  comfort  pretty  well 
secured.  They  had  two  tents — one  for  the  men — 
and  between  the  two,  a kind  of  kitchen,  made  of 
poles  which  they  had  cut  down  and  covered  with 
oiled  canvas.  The  floor  of  the  tent  was  covered 
with  cork,  over  which  was  spread  oiled  canvas, 
which  made  a dry  place  for  their  beds.  They  also 
began  a fence  around  the  tents,  which  on  the  next 
day  was,  by  the  aid  of  the  ship’s  company,  com- 
pleted ; each  one  plying  the  woodman’s  handicraft 
to  the  best  of  his  power.  Making  a large  fire,  they 
gathered  round  it  and  regaled  themselves  w7ith  the 
provisions  kindly  sent  from  the  ship  by  Captain 
Cooper.  They  had  not  been  disturbed  throughout 
the  day  by  the  natives,  and  congratulated  themselves 
on  this  fortunate  circumstance,  as  they  hoped,  by 
their  not  seeing  their  possessions,  they  would  not  be 
- tempted  to  molest  or  steal  from  them.  By  eleven 
at  night  they  had  every  thing  so  straight  as  to  be 
able  to  retire  to  rest,  which  all  did,  except  Captain 
Gardiner  and  Mr.  Williams,  who  had  agreed  on  keep- 
ing watch  throughout  the  night.  At  the  end  of  two 
hours  they  were  to  relieve  each  other.  This  the 
Captain  proposed  should  be  commenced  by  himself, 
taking  the  first  watch  at  ten  o’clock  every  night, 
and  he  now  accordingly  rigged  in  his  india-rubber 
overcoat  and  sou-wester,  for  the  rain  was  pouring 
down  with  Fuegian  earnestness.  At  half-past  twelve 
he  was  relieved  by  Mr.  Williams.  The  latter  had 
20  * 


234 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


rot  lain  down,  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  the 
time  before  commencing  his  watch  ; and  now  while 
he  was  alone  in  the  dead  hours  of  the  night,  sur- 
rounded by  the  dark  masses  of  the  wood  on  the  one 
hand,  and  the  rippling  waters  on  the  other,  with  the 
rain  pouring  down  in  heavy  showers,  his  heart  was 
oppressed  with  a heaviness  for  which  he  could  not 
account.  He  says,  “ The  time  of  my  watch  hung 
heavily  upon  me,  and  I almost  counted  the  minutes 
as  they  passed.  Strange  cries  broke  upon  my  ear: 
the  penguin’s  harsh  croak,  with  the  shrill  whistle 
of  some  sea-bird,  and  many  sounds  for  which  I could 
scarce  account,  all  tending  to  give  an  extraordinary 
character  to  the  scene.  I felt  no  fear,  neither  did 
I wish  to  be  differently  circumstanced ; but  I was 
weary,  and  longed  for  rest.  Two  o clock  came,  and 
then  was  Mr.  Maidment’s  turn.  Selfish  nature  was 
glad  of  the  opportunity  to  exchange  positions  even 
thus  with  a friend  and  brother,  and  comforting  my- 
self in  the  warmth  and  repose  of  bed,  I slept 
soundly,  and  awoke  the  next  morning,  ready  to  re- 
sume the  labours  of  the  day.”  They  persevered 
all  Saturday  in  completing  their  fence,  and  arrang- 
ing matters  to  their  satisfaction,  without  being  mo- 
lested bv  any  of  the  natives ; a matter  at  which 
they  would  have  been  surprised,  had  they  not  con- 
jectured that  they  were  going  to  give  to  others  of 
the  tribe,  the  intelligence  of  the  stranger’s  arrival. 

In  the  evening,  however,  three  whom  they  had 
seen  before  came  up.  4\  ithout  evincing  any  sux-- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


235 


prise,  they  greeted  the  strangers  with  apparent  good- 
nature, yammer-schoonering  after  everything  they 
saw,  and  trying  to  peep  inside  the  enclosure ; but  on 
Captain  Gardiner  intimating  his  disapproval,  they 
Avere  very  tractable.  Altogether  they  seemed  so 
peaceable  and  well-disposed,  that  our  pioneers  had 
good  hope  of  being  able  to  maintain  a friendly  in- 
tercourse with  them.  Toward  evening,  Captain 
Gardiner  made  signs  for  them  to  leave,  intimating 
that  it  was  time  to  go  to  sleep,  by  laying  his  head 
on  his  hand,  and  then  gently  directing  them  to  the 
entrance.  They  readily  comprehended  the  meaning, 
and  without  hesitation  departed.  On  Sunday,  how- 
ever, just  as  the  morning  service  was  commenced, 
the  same  party  came  again,  but  remained  very 
quietly  near  the  tent  door,  little  thinking  how  nearly 
they  themselves  stood  concerned  in  what  was  going 
on.  Nothing  occurred  to  break  the  sacred  stillness 
of  the  Sabbath,  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when 
our  pioneers  Avere  startled  by  the  mournful  yelling 
of  some  of  the  Avomen  from  their  canoes,  Avhich 
sounded  like  the  prolonged  hoAvl  of  a dog.  The 
Fucgians,  Avho  still  were  in  the  tent,  pricked  up 
their  ears,  and  taking  up  their  spears,  immediately 
departed  in  haste,  making  signs  that  the  strangers 
Avere  not  to  follow.  They  took  the  road  leading  to 
Banner  Cove ; which  having  reached,  they  Avere 
seen,  by  the  help  of  glasses,  to  be  joined  by  another 
party. 

In  the  course  of  a few  hours  the  neAV-comers  ap- 


236 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


peared,  who,  as  was  easily  seen,  belonged  to  another 
tribe.  Their  faces  were  quite  blackened  over  ; they 
were  impudent  and  uncontrollable,  and  unlike  the 
former,  they  were  ready  to  resent  every  refusal  of 
their  unreasonable  demands.  Their  whole  demeanor 
plainly  bespoke  intended  mischief:  nevertheless, 
they  were  very  well  made,  and,  but  for  the  diabolical 
passions  expressed  in  their  countenances,  were  good- 
looking  men.  With  five  of  such  men  around  them, 
prying  into  everything,  the  other  three  having  also 
assumed  a less  pacific  deportment,  and  almost  en- 
tering the  tent  by  force,  the.situation  of  our  friends 
was  by  no  means  agreeable.  It  required  all  their 
vigilance  to  watch  their  motions  ; and  from  their 
whispering  together,  it  was  suspected  that  they  were 
concocting  some  plan  of  attack.  Captain  Gardiner, 
however,  after  a time  succeeded  in  sending  them  off, 
and  the  Sunday  evening  service  being  over,  the 
watch  was  set,  and  the  party  retired  to  bed.  A 
railway  whistle,  which  had  been  provided  to  be  used 
as  an  alarm,  raised  its  shrill  warning  near  four  o’clock 
in  the  morning,  and  startled  the  sleepers,  who  were 
up  and  dressed  in  an  instant.  The  disturbance  was 
caused  by  the  coming  of  the  two  black-faced  natives, 
who,  determined  on  intruding,  gave  sufficient  cause 
for  uneasiness,  and  behaved  with  such  audacity  to 
Mr.  Maidment  and  Bryant,  pushing  one  off  his  seat, 
and  endeavouring  to  pull  off  the  other’s  boots,  that 
forcible  resistance  became  necessary.  After  re- 
maining two  hours,  they  grew  tired  and  left,  but  in 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


237 


the  course  of  the  morning  returned  with  an  aug- 
mented  party,  and  again  visited  the  tents.  So  de- 
termined was  their  conduct,  almost  bordering  on 
open  hostility,  that  it  became  manifest  the  mission 
party  could  no  longer  stay  on  shore;  therefore  Cap- 
tain Gardiner  resolved  that,  with  the  aid  of  the  men 
from  the  Ocean  Queen , he  would  at  once  strike  the 
tents,  and  have  all  their  stores  carried  on  board  the 
boats.  This  was  his  original  intention,  but  he  was 
anxious,  whilst  Captain  Cooper’s  vessel  remained,  to 
try  an  establishment  on  land,  so  as  to  see  what  dis- 
position the  natives  would  evince.  All  were  glad 
when  he  announced  his  determination  to  abandon 
the  land,  for  most  were  convinced  that  to  stay  an- 
other night  on  shore  would  be  attended  with  the 
loss  of  property,  and  perhaps  of  life.  On  Monday 
evening,  therefore,  all  their  effects  were  transported 
on  board  the  Ocean  Queen , where  they  remained 
until  their  boats  were  ready. 

Notwithstanding  their  horizon  was  now  so  dark 
with  portentous  clouds,  and  they  were  fully  sensible 
what  dangers,  difficulties,  and  privations  awaited 
them  on  all  hands,  not  one  of  this  devoted  party 
regretted  the  step  they  bad  taken.  If  any  one 
will  be  the  disciple  of  Christ,  he  must  be  willing  to 
leave  all  and  follow  him;  and  now  this  little  band 
of  pioneers,  leaving  the  lap  of  comfort  to  travel  the 
thorny  path  of  what  they  believed  duty,  were  not 
without  their  reward.  Given  up  to  the  service  of 
the  Saviour,  they  lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  love. 


238 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


“ His  consolations  and  the  comforts  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,”  says  Williams,  “are  infinitely  precious  and 
outweigh  all  privations  we  have  to  encounter.” 
Going  out  on  a sailing  excursion  with  Captain 
Cooper,  Mr.  Williams  took  one  of  the  Fuegians  in 
the  boat,  and  in  order  to  try  what  impression  could 
be  made  on  his  mind  by  firing  a gun,  shot  a pen- 
guin. The  sight  of  the  wounded  bird  occasioned 
much  more  interest  and  curiosity  than  did  the  gun, 
although  he  evinced  some  little  fear  of  the  latter, 
and  did  not  like  it  to  be  brought  near  him.  They 
took  this  man  on  board,  and  rigged  him  out  in  some 
clothes  given  by  the  sailors,  and  afterwards  carried 
him  back  with  them  to  their  station.  They  gave 
him  the  bird,  which,  when  some  of  his  companions 
joined  him,  he  put  on  the  burning  embers,  singed 
the  feathers,  then  plucked  them  off,  and  having  laid 
it  on  the  fire  again  for  a quarter  of  an  hour,  it  was 
ready  cooked  according  to  their  taste ; and  then, 
borrowing  a knife  from  one  of  the  men,  which  he 
afterwards  returned,  he  dissected  it,  giving  each  one 
of  the  party  a portion.  These  again  bit  off  pieces 
and  gave  them  to  each  other.  And  thus  they  de- 
voured the  whole  fowl  with  a voracity  truly  fright- 
ful, leaving  no  part  except  the  bones  and  feathers. 

The  Ocean  Queen  left  them  on  the  19th  Decem- 
ber, bearing  letters  to  England  written  in  the  most 
hopeful  spirit,  and  such  cheerful  communications 
were  well  calculated  to  remove  any  inquietude  or 
anxiety  from  the  minds  of  their  anxious  friends  at 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


239 


home.  They  knew  that  the  stores,  the  missionary 
pioneers  had  taken  with  them,  were  sufficient  to  last 
till  June,  that  they  had  also  guns  and  abundance 
of  ammunition,  besides  nets  for  fishing.  They 
knew  also,  that  Gardiner  had  made  arrangements 
with  Mr.  Lafone,  of  Monte  Video ; that  a vessel 
should  ply  periodically  between  the  Falkland  Islands 
and  Fuego,  bringing  provisions  for  the  mission,  and 
carrying  back  wood  ; and  believed  that  the  mission- 
boats  could  retreat  to  the  colony,  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. But  as  time  passed,  and  no  further  intelli- 
gence was  heard,  application  was  made  to  the  Ad- 
miralty for  assistance,  which  was  promptly  rendered. 
Captain  Morshead,  of  H.  M.  S.  Dido  received  di- 
rections to  touch  at  Picton  Island,  on  his  way  to 
the  Pacific,  and  left  England  in  October,  1851. 

The  Ocean  Queen  was  hardly  out  of  sight,  when 
Gardiner,  according  to  a plan  before  named,  pre- 
pared for  a voyage  to  Button  Island,  and  on  the 
same  day  commenced  to  search  for  a safe  place  to 
deposit  the  stores,  whilst  they  repaired  the  Pioneer , 
which  had  sprung  a leak.  In  this  insecure  vessel, 
Gardiner  led  the  wray,  taking  with  him  Mr.  Maid- 
ment,  Pearce,  and  Bryant.  The  two  dingeys  were 
towed  behind  the  Pioneer.  Then  followed  the  Speed- 
well, laden  with  the  spare  timber,  with  Mr.  Williams, 
Erwin,  and  Badcock  on  board.  Bravely  the  Pio- 
neer struggled  with  the  heavy  sea,  but  at  length 
reached  a safe  inlet,  which  Gardiner  named  Blome- 
field  Harbour;  but  just  before  entering  the  harbour, 


240 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


both  the  dingeys  were  carried  away.  Here  they 
waited  for  many  hours  in  great  anxiety  for  their 
companions.  At  four  o’clock  on  the  following  day 
they  put  to  sea  in  search  for  them,  and  on  coming 
in  sight  of  their  old  anchorage,  they  gladly  descried 
the  form  of  the  Speedwell , just  descernible  in  the 
darkness.  They  shouted,  but  received  no  answer. 
“All  was  still,”  says  Gardiner,  “not  a sound  was 
heard,  but  the  plashing  of  the  oars,  and  the  mur- 
murs of  the  surf  on  the  beach.  It  was  an  awful 
suspense,  not  a word  was  uttered  among  us.  We 
were  now  actually  alongside,  but  no  movement  or 
sound  was  heard  on  board.  I confess  my  blood  ran 
cold.”  The  three  fearless  men,  of  whom  they  were 
in  search,  were,  meantime,  sleeping  in  the  cabin  of 
the  Speedwell  as  soundly  as  if  on  their  native  shores. 
It  was  three  in  the  morning  when  they  were  aroused 
by  the  shouts  of  their  companions.  Mr.  Williams 
explained  that  the  raft  which  the  Speedwell  was 
towing  had  caught  in  a mass  of  kelp,  and,  in  conse- 
quence, the  greatest  exertion  had  been  necessary 
to  keep  the  vessel  from  drifting  on  the  surf.  The 
danger  was  avoided,  but  the  anchor  and  timber  were 
lost,  and  they  were  only  able  to  return  to  Banner 
Cove.  Thus  the  first  day’s  expedition  resulted  in 
the  loss  of  the  Speedwell's  anchor,  the  timber,  and 
both  of  the  dingeys.  The  last,  especially,  was  a 
very  serious  loss.  A second  attempt  was,  therefore, 
made  to  reach  Blomefield  Harbour.  The  Speedwell 
and  remained  in  company  for  several  hours; 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


241 


but  in  the  course  of  the  tlav,  the  Speedwell  gradu- 
ally distanced  her  consort ; and  the  Pioneer , being 
becalmed  under  the  land,  returned  to  Picton  Island. 
Having  no  landing  boat,  they  were  obliged  to 
anchor  very  near  the  beach,  and  our  four  friends 
retired  to  rest  after  the  fatigues  of  the  day.  They 
were  aroused  in  the  morning  by  the  shouting  of  the 
natives,  and  on  reaching  the  deck  they  were  alarmed 
to  find  that  the  boat  was  immovable,  the  tide  hav- 
ing left  her  aground.  There  were  no  signs  of  the 
Speedwell , and  it  was  difficult  to  keep  off  the  rough 
handling  of  the  natives.  As  the  Fuegians  increased 
in  number,  and  seemed  bent  on  boarding  the  Pio- 
neer',  Gardiner  and  his  companions  landed,  armed 
with  guns,  and  walked  towards  them.  With  their 
arms  in  their  hands  they  knelt  down,  and  implored 
the  protection  of  that  Saviour  whose  servants  they 
were,  being  determined  not  to  use  any  violence 
towards  men  whom  they  came  to  befriend,  except 
as  a last  necessity.  When  the  Fuegians  saw  their 
visitors  in  prayer  they  seemed  awe-struck.  A few 
presents  were  made,  but  any  further  friendly  inter- 
course, without  the  knowledge  of  a common  lan- 
guage, was  impossible.  While  this  was  going  for- 
ward, the  Speedwell  arrived,  and  the  Pioneer  soon 
getting  afloat,  both  boats  returned  to  Banner  Cove. 

It  was  now  apparent  that,  short-handed  as  they 
wTere  for  the  management  of  two  boats  in  so  stormy 
a channel,  they  must  lighten  them  before  attempt- 
ing to  find  a safe  harbour  in  which  to  re-fit  for  a 


242 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


voyage  to  Woollya  or  Button  Island.  They  there- 
fore stowed  away  part  of  their  provisions  under 
ground,  at  Banner  Cove,  where  they  were.  In  un- 
loading the  Speedwell  for  this  purpose,  they  were 
shocked  at  the  discovery,  that  the  powder  which 
they  had  brought  with  them  in  the  Ocean  Queen 
had  never  been  landed.  One  flask  and  a-half  was 
all  they  had  now,  and  thus  early  were  they  deprived 
of  an  important  means  of  obtaining  fresh  food. 
Startled,  but  not  dispirited,  they  carefully  concealed 
part  of  their  precious  store,  and  endeavoured  to 
stop  the  leak  in  the  Pioneer  and  to  enter  into  a 
friendly  barter  with  the  natives.  They  were  not 
able  to  stay  long,  for  the  natives,  being  provided 
with  canoes  in  which  baskets  of  stones  and  war- 
spears  were  observed,  were  evidently  meditating  an 
attack.  The  boats,  therefore,  once  more  made  sail 
for  Lennox  Island  ; but  so  varying  were  the  winds, 
so  continual  the  sudden  squalls,  that  the  passage  to 
Lennox  Island  lasted  twenty-seven  hours. 

Whilst  at  Tent  Cove  they  were  again  alarmed  by 
a party  of  natives.  The  alarm  whistle  was  blown 
at  four  o’clock  in  the  morning,  and  all  hands  were 
immediately  on  deck,  in  order  to  be  prepared  in 
case  of  an  attack.  The  party  consisted  of  eight 
men  with  their  families  in  three  canoes ; but,  al- 
though they  came  alongside,  they  showed  no  actu- 
ally hostile  spirit,  as  our  friends  feared  they  would; 
because  on  the  night  previous  they  had  hung  up 
white  streamers  on  their  canoes  and  painted  them- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


243 


selves  white,  which  they  knew  meant  hostility.  But 
as  Captain  Gardiner  gave  them  no  presents  on  this 
occasion,  but  rather  intimated  dissatisfaction  with 
them,  they  soon  left  the  bay  ; and  the  pioneer  band 
at  once  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to 
get  back  the  raft  of  timber  which  was  lying  on  the 
beach  opposite  their  wigwams ; and  they  also  suc- 
ceeded in  recovering  some  other  property  of  import- 
ance. 

They  spent  Christmas  day  at  Banner  Cove,  but 
it  was  a day  of  bustle  and  work,  as  they  overhauled 
the  Pioneer  to  get  at  the  leak.  Their  Christmas- 
dinner  consisted  of  preserved  meat,  and  some 
wheat-meal  dough  with  a few  raisins  in  it;  and  as 
they  enjoyed  this  plain  repast,  spread  out  in  this, 
the  most  remote,  portion  of  the  earth,  they  remem- 
bered their  dear  friends  at  home,  and  in  God’s  name 
blessed  them. 

The  natives  returned,  but  in  a friendly  manner, 
and  having  bartered  some  small  fish  which  they  had 
speared,  passed  on  quietly  to  their  wigwams.  The 
want  of  the  powder  left  on  board  the  Ocean  Queen 
was  a great  disappointment ; for,  although  there 
were  plenty  of  ducks  and  geese,  they  had  no  means 
of  killing  them  ; and  another,  not  less,  was  the  ex- 
pectation of  finding  fish,  of  which  there  were 
scarcely  any ; but,  appalled  as  they  must  have  been 
at  the  great  difficulties  which  surrounded  them,  no 
signs  of  discontent  were  exhibited,  and  the  most 
affectionate  intercourse  subsisted  among  them.  As 


244 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


they  had  not  anticipated  either  of  these  failures,  no 
large  provision  of  animal  food  was  made;  they  had 
now  only  two  casks  of  preserved  meat,  and  one  of 
pork ; therefore  they  lived  principally  on  wheat  and 
oat  meal,  with  rice,  biscuit,  cheese,  butter,  and  mo- 
lasses. Speaking  of  these  trials,  Mr.  Williams 
says,  “ Every  circumstance  that  has  occurred  in  this 
land  of  storms  has  tended  to  the  same  end — to  hum- 
ble and  abase  me.  The  privation  of  accustomed 
comforts,  the  vicissitudes  already  experienced,  the 
trying  duties  devolving  on  us,  the  dulness  and  great 
inclemency  of  the  climate,  the  solitude  of  the 
scenery,  the  uninviting  character  of  the  natives, 
and  the  apparent  hopelessness  of  contending  with 
so  many  difficulties, — all  these  things  the  flesh  has 
had  to  be  loaded  with,  and,  together  with  its  own 
fears  and  repinings,  to  be  nailed  to  the  cross,  and 
yield  up  the  ghost,  whilst  in  the  room  thereof  Christ 
should  be  raised  up  and  formed  in  me  the  hope  of 
glory.” 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


245 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

NEW  TRIALS. 

“ Lord,  listen  to  my  lowly  dirge, 

My  plaintive  call  attend  ; 

My  fainting  heart  to  thee  would  urge 
A prayer  from  earth’s  far  end. 

Within  thy  tabernacle’s  shade 
I would  for  aye  abide, 

In  wings  of  thy  kind  sheltering  aid 
Would  safely  rest  and  hide.” 

Had  the  funds  of  the  mission  admitted  of  the 
purchase  of  a vessel  of  a hundred  tons  burden,  the 
mission  party  would  have  been  comparatively  inde- 
pendent. If  it  became  dangerous  to  remain  on  shore, 
they  would  have  found  secure  refuge  on  shipboard, 
and  when  provisions  failed,  they  could  have  pro- 
cured a supply  by  going  to  Port  Famine  or  the 
Falklands.  In  that  case  they  would  also  have  been 
spared  the  fatigue  and  anxiety  of  hiding  their  stores 
where  there  wTas  great  risk  of  the  natives  finding 
them,  and  instead  of  creeping  around  these  dreary 

coasts  in  boats  too  small  to  weather  a storm,  and  in 
21  * 


246 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


•which  they  could  scarcely  secure  a dry  berth,  they 
would  at  least  have  lodged  in  comfort  and  faced  the 
blast  with  some  confidence.  But  in  their  shallop 
launches,  they  were  as  much  imprisoned  in  the 
Fuegian  island  as  was  Alexander  Selkirk  in  Juan 
Fernandez ; and  to  reach  a Christian  settlement 
across  such  turbulent  seas,  would  have  been  little 
less  than  a miracle.  But  Gardiner,  although  he 
knew  that  the  chances  of  European  vessels  visiting 
their  rendezvous  were  very  small,  believed  he  should 
be  able  to  surmount  every  difficulty.  He  knew 
that  there  were  fish  in  the  sea,  and  abundance  of 
birds  on  the  shore.  He  had  provisions  for  six 
months;  and  before  these  could  be  exhausted  he 
calculated  on  fresh  supplies  from  England.  And, 
although  none  knew  better  the  wildness  of  these 
waters,  he  trusted,  should  it  be  found  impossible  to 
propitiate  the  natives,  to  find  a retreat  where  the 
little  party  might  hold  out  until  succours  arrived. 
We  have  seen,  however,  how  these  calculations  were 
disappointed.  The  low-decked  boats,  whose  iron 
roofs  condensed  the  vapor  and  kept  a continual  rain 
dripping  on  the  berths  and  floors,  were  rendered 
partly  unserviceable  from  the  loss  of  the  two  “din- 
geys,” which  were  intended  as  a communication  be- 
tween the  launches  and  the  land.  We  have  al- 
ready mentioned  the  fearful  oversight  by  which  the 
powder  was  left  in  the  ship,  and  although,  therefore, 
there  were  fowling-pieces  and  good  marksmen  in 
the  party,  they  had  less  power  to  secure  the  game 


TIONEERS  OE  FUEGIA. 


247 


with  which  they  were  surrounded,  than  the  savages 
who  had  nothing  but  slings.  The  net  they  had 
brought  with  them,  they  were  also  destined  to  lose ; 
so  that  in  a climate  beyond  all  others  requiring 
warm  shelter  and  generous  diet,  these  devoted  men 
soon  found  themselves  without  cordials,  without 
animal  food  or  dry  clothing;  in  short,  without  a 
single  material  comfort.  But  we  will  resume  our 
narrative,  which  we  take  from  the  journal  of  Mr. 
Williams. 

At  Tent  Cove  the  missionaries  were,  as  we  have 
already  mentioned,  if  not  alarmed,  at  least  rendered 
suspicious  by  the  behaviour  of  the  natives,  who 
mustered  together  at  an  early  hour,  giving  strong 
indications  of  having  a hostile  purpose.  From  the 
singular  behaviour  of  these  people,  it  was  evident 
that  the  Fuegians  were  not  to  be  trusted,  and  that 
now  their  cupidity  was  greatly  excited  by  the  sight 
of  the  mission  property.  They  were  perfect  in  the 
art  of  dissimulation.  When  the  missionary  party 
were  few  in  number  and  the  ship  remained,  they 
were  quiet  enough ; but  as  soon  as  these  circum- 
stances changed,  they  became  insolent  and  unruly. 
The  boldness  and  troublesome  conduct  of  the  party 
who  disturbed  our  missionaries  at  Garden  Island, 
has  already  been  mentioned,  and  repeatedly  since 
then  there  had  been  occasion  to  notice  the  haughti- 
ness  of  their  bearing.  One  of  them,  one  day,  en- 
tered Captain  Gardiner’s  tent  where  he  was  writing, 
and  laying  his  heavy  hand  on  the  inkstand,  poured 


248 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  whole  contents  on  the  unfinished  page.  But 
the  most  forward  and  insolent  of  all,  was  an  indi- 
vidual whom,  for  the  sake  of  distinction,  they  named 
“Jemmy.”  This  man,  who  acted  in  some  measure  as 
chief,  was  well  formed  and  well  featured,  and  pos- 
sessed an  unusual  energy  and  quickness  of  mind, 
was  the  ring-leader  in  all  the  evil.  He  invari- 
ably rejected  all  articles  of  a trifling  character  with 
contempt,  and  the  withering  smile  which  passed 
across  his  lips  when  such  were  offered,  showed  that 
he  considered  the  strangers  of  no  importance. 
They  had  also  some  suspicions  of  “ Jemmy,”  which 
caused  them  great  uneasiness.  They  had  found  in 
a certain  place  the  mutilated  and  charred  remains 
of  a human  body,  the  skin  of  the  head  and  face 
being  undestroyed  ; and  they  were  not  without  a 
strong  suspicion  that  he  had  been  the  perpetrator 
of  this  act  of  malevolence.  A sling  was  found  near 
these  remains.  Another  thing  they  noticed  in 
“Jemmy,”  was  his  frequent  change  of  complexion. 
At  first  he  and  his  companions  were  painted  black, 
this  was  afterwards  exchanged  for  white  streaks ; 
and  this  in  turn  gave  place  to  another  painting  of 
white  dots,  regularly  arranged.  The  only  redeem- 
ing trait  he  possessed  was  his  seeming  kindness  to 
his  two  wives,  and  whatever  beads  or  light  articles 
our  friends  gave  him,  he  immediately  handed  over 
to  them. 

The  mission  party  remained  some  days  in  Lennox 
Cove  without  being  molested ; but  on  Saturday 


PIONEERS  OE  FUEGIA. 


249 


morning,  January  4th,  the  signal  was  given  by  the 
look-out  that  the  natives  were  approaching,  and 
indeed  “Jemmy”  and  some  others  of  their  old  ac- 
quaintance were  soon  alongside.  Eight  canoes  were 
coming  in  sight,  and  as  there  are  usually  two  men  and 
sometimes  more  in  each  canoe,  our  friends  knew  that 
they  were  greatly  superior  to  them  in  strength. 
Captain  Gardiner  got  his  glass,  and  plainly  saw 
that  they  were  come  prepared  to  attack  the  boats. 
They  were  well  provided  with  war  spears ; and 
moreover,  they  were  taking  in  stones  from  the  beach, 
the  most  certain  evidence  of  their  warlike  inten- 
tions. No  time  was  now  to  be  lost,  and  with  all 
speed  both  boats  were  got  under  sail.  The  merci- 
ful Providence  of  God  was  made  manifest  in  what 
the  party  had  considered  disappointments.  Had 
they  been  lying  in  Tent  Cove,  as  had  been  proposed 
the  day  before,  they  never  should  have  got  out  of  it 
in  time.  Had  the  tents  been  rigged,  as  they  had 
been  until  two  days  before,  when  the  high  winds 
compelled  that  they  should  be  taken  down,  they 
would  not  have  been  able  to  get  the  boats  ready 
soon  enough.  And,  lastly,  had  not  a breeze  sprung 
up  just  at  the  very  minute  it  was  needed,  they  could 
not  have  sailed  out  as  they  did,  and  prevented  an 
attack  before  the  enemy  had  time  to  enclose  them. 
The  marks  of  disappointment  and  chagrin  were 
plainly  evident  in  the  manner  of  the  natives  when 
they  saw  their  intended  victims  safely  passing  beyond 
their  reach.  But  although  they  escaped  w'ith  their 


250 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


lives  unharmed,  it  was  not  without  much  inconveni- 
ence to  themselves  and  injury  to  their  property.  In 
their  sudden  flight  they  had  to  cut  away  the  raft 
they  had  built  as  a substitute  for  the  dingeys,  as 
well  as  the  hawser  by  which  they  were  moored. 
They  were  also  unprovided  with  water  and  wood ; 
and  the  boats,  not  being  properly  rigged,  could  not 
put  out  to  sea.  They  therefore  shaped  their  course 
to  Picton  Island,  hoping  to  find  a cove  on  the  south 
side,  but  in  vain  ; about  noon  a dead  calm  came  on, 
and  they  lay  for  some  time  anchored  to  the  kelp. 
Here  Captain  Gardiner  offered  up  a prayer  to  God, 
in  gratitude  for  their  merciful  deliverance.  “ Whilst 
we  were  lying  here,”  says  Mr.  Williams,  “the  Cap- 
tain expressed  himself  as  being  now  entirely  left  to 
the  directing  band  of  God,  and  that  nothing  re- 
mained for  us,  but  to  leave  it  to  his  good  providence 
to  direct  us  where  next  we  should  go.  Indeed, 
nothing  that  we  had  devised  had  issued  in  success, 
and  we  seemed  to  be  getting  disastrously  crippled ; 
being  now  without  means  of  getting  ashore,  unless 
unusual  facilities  should  be  afforded  in  the  character 
of  the  harbour.”  Although  Navarin  island  had  the 
disadvantage  of  being  peopled  thickly  with  the  na- 
tives, they  resolved,  as  the  wind  was  in  their  fa- 
vour, to  go  thither;  but  a breeze  sprang  up  in  the 
night,  which  soon  increased  to  a heavy  gale,  and 
with  wind  and  tide  against  them,  they  were  unable 
to  beat  through  the  channel,  and  bore  up  for 
Lennox  Island,  where  they  arrived  on  Sunday 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


251 


morning,  January  5th.  The  Pioneer , just  as  they 
were  running  in  on  the  beach,  was  taken  aback  by 
the  wind  and  driven  among  a reef  of  rocks,  and 
esca.ped  destruction  as  by  a miracle. 

There  was  nothing  very  inviting  in  the  appear- 
ance of  Lennox  Harbour  or  the  island;  hut  a resting 
place  from  storms,  where  our  weary  travellers  could 
be  some  time  undisturbed  by  the  natives  and  com- 
plete their  boats,  was  very  desirable,  and  they  felt 
truly  thankful  when  they  saw  neither  wigwam  nor 
natives  in  the  harbour.  On  the  day  after  their  ar- 
rival, it  was  found  that  they  could  not  get  the  boat 
afloat,  the  tide  on  the  previous  morning  being  higher 
than  usual,  owing  to  the  force  of  the  tempest.  They 
would  therefore  have  to  wait  for  the  next  spring- 
tide,  some  nine  or  ten  days ; and  if  the  natives 
should  come,  they  must  fall  an  easy  prey,  for  they 
would  have  no  means  to  escape.  But  in  these  dis- 
tressing circumstances,  instead  of  giving  way  to  ap- 
prehensions, they  only  more  and  more  leaned  on 
that  faith  which  makes  the  Christian  forgetful  of 
every  temporal  evil.  The  position  of  our  pioneers 
in  this  antarctic  Patinos  was  now  very  critical ; and 
to  make  the  peril  more  imminent,  two  of  their  num- 
ber returned  from  a walk,  with  the  tidings  that 
there  were  natives  in  the  adjoining  coves.  Although 
no  position  could  present  more  occasion  for  fear  and 
anxiety,  “ not  one  of  the  party  gave  indication  that 
either  was  felt ; all  solicitude  was  hushed  into  repose 
by  our  hope  in  God.”  There  was  but  one  member 


252 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


of  the  party  who  did  not  profess  to  have  experi- 
enced a renewing  change,  and  he  was  now  becoming 
“ a brother  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus 
Christ.”  On  the  same  day  they  were  unpleasantly 
surprised  by  the  sight  of  two  fine  Fuegian  dogs,  a 
sure  indication  that  their  masters  were  not  far  off. 
However,  although  the  dogs  were  again  seen,  no 
natives  appeared.  In  the  neighbouring  cove  there 
was  a wigwam,  and  an  enormous  pile  of  mussel- 
shells,  and  here  too,  they  found  human  remains — a 
skull  and  bones  of  the  extremities.  They  also  saw 
a canoe  approaching  the  cove,  and  smoke  issuing 
from  the  wigwam ; but  on  the  next  day  they  left, 
without  discovering  the  ships  and  our  mission  party. 

After  waiting  patiently  for  the  moon  to  enlarge 
her  borders  and  approach  to  the  full ; after  digging 
away  the  sand  from  under  the  Speedwell,  at  an  im- 
mense expense  of  labour  ; after  hope  as  to  the  prac- 
ticability of  getting  oft’  at  all  grew  less  and  less, 
our  readers  may  imagine  with  what  joy  each  one 
heard  the  words  shouted,  “ She  is  afloat!”  Little 
time  was  spent  after  this  announcement  in  the  ex- 
posed shelter  of  Lennox  Harbour,  and  as  Captain 
Gardiner  in  a walk  across  the  country  a few  days 
before,  had  found  a cove,  which,  seeming  to  promise 
safety,  he  had  named  Mercy  Cove,  they  now  di- 
rected their  course  thither. 

The  last  few  days  of  their  stay  at  Lennox  Island 
had  been  marked  by  visits  from  a party  of  the  na- 
tives, seemingly  one  family.  They  were  very  quiet 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


253 


and  docile,  and  one  of  the  men  very  good-looking, 
with  a pleasing  expression  of  countenance.  It 
seemed  uncharitable  to  think  evil  of  him,  or  sus- 
pect he  meditated  harm.  As  they  saw  no  other 
party,  our  friends  were  quite  easy  whilst  they  con- 
tinued with  them,  hut  were  afraid  they  might  go 
off  for  others.  They  did  leave  and  return  more 
than  once,  and  were  absent  at  the  time  when  they 
left  Lennox  Harbour. 

As  we  have  stated,  they  shaped  their  course  for 
Mercy  Cove,  and  after  surmounting  many  difficul- 
ties, when  abreast  of  a cluster  of  islands,  they  saw 
a large  body  of  natives  on  the  beach,  among  whom 
wras  their  late  acquaintance  of  Lennox  Island.  They 
were  engaged  in  fishing  or  hunting  seals,  which 
were  very  plentiful  at  that  place.  They  no  sooner 
caught  sight  of  our  friends  than,  as  usual,  the  up- 
roar was  great ; canoes  were  immediately  put  oft' 
and  paddled  with  a speed  almost  incredible.  Our 
pioneers  were  now  within  a short  distance  of  Mercy 
Cove ; but  it  was  evident  that,  if  they  proceeded, 
the  whole  party  of  about  five  and  twenty  persons 
would  follow ; and  not  wishing  to  be  at  their  mercy, 
Captain  Gardiner  regretfully  turned  back  upon  his 
path,  and  anchored  once  more  in  Lennox  Harbour. 
Although  next  morning  was  Sunday,  the  Captain 
thought  it  advisable  to  get  under  weigh  again,  with 
the  intention  of  going  to  Cape  Bees,  or  Blomefield 
Harbour,  where  he  hoped  they  could  spend  the  Sab- 
bath in  quiet.  The  wind  at  first  was  light  and  fa- 


254 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


vourable,  and  the  morning  promising;  but  the  breeze 
soon  freshened  into  a gale,  the  bowsprit  of  the 
Speedwell  was  carried  away,  and  she  was  also  other- 
wise injured.  It  was  a time  of  great  danger,  and 
they  were  obliged  once  more  to_  seek  refuge  in  Len- 
nox Harbour.  As  they  entered  the  mouth  of  the 
harbour,  they  had  to  make  great  exertions  to  keep 
off  the  rocks.  The  wind  now  blew  a hurricane ; 
the  anchor  dragged,  and  they  were  threatened  with 
destruction.  They  were  smitten  throughout  the  whole 
day  by  the  pitiless  blasts ; the  dark  foaming  water 
raged  around  them ; the  dark  clouds  poured  down 
their  pelting  hailstones  and  deluges  of  rain.  “No- 
thing could  be  more  fearful,”  says  Mr.  Williams  in 
his  journal ; “ we  were  anything  but  sheltered, 
being  near  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  within 
thirty  feet  of  the  rocks,  against  which  had  we 
dashed,  we  must  inevitably  have  been  lost.  But 
God  in  his  providential  mercy  was  with  us.  We  all 
felt  we  had  done  wrong  in  getting  under  weigh  on 
Sunday  morning,  and  greatly  did  I feel  relieved 
when  I heard  the  Captain  say,  that  he  also  felt  it 
wrong.  ‘ Never,’  said  he,  ‘ never  have  I commenced 
a journey  on  the  Sabbath  before,  and  this  shall  be 
the  last  time.’  ” 

On  Monday  following,  January  20th,  the  day 
being  fine,  they  again  sailed  for  Blomefield  Harbour, 
off  which  they  arrived  at  half-past  eight  o’clock. 
As  they  got  in  sight  of  the  harbour,  they  saw  sev- 
eral fires,  and  were  soon  apprised  that  there  was  a 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


255 


good  party  of  the  natives  present.  Three  canoes 
put  off,  and  it  being  calm  at  the  time,  they  soon 
came  up.  Among  them  was  one  of  their  Banner 
Cove  acquaintances,  and  a member  of  the  hostile 
league  organized  against  them  there.  Their  errand 
was  now  useless.  No  rest  nor  quiet  was  now  to  be 
expected  here,  and  it  was  certain  that  the  natives 
would  soon  accumulate  an  overwhelming  force,  and 
overpower  their  small  and  feeble  party.  Once  more 
they  were  obliged  to  turn  back  upon  their  route, 
and  seek  a temporary  asylum  at  Banner  Cove.  They 
kept  under  sail  all  night,  it  being  for  the  most  part 
of  the  time  a calm.  Near  Picton  Island  a canoe 
put  off,  in  which  they  recognized  the  intimate  asso- 
ciate of  Jemmy,  the  great  concerter  of  all  the  at- 
tacks made  upon  them,  and  their  most  troublesome 
acquaintance.  Banner  Roads  would  now  be  no 
shelter  for  them  ; the  hue  and  cry  would  go  forth, 
and  it  was  certain  that  they  would  at  once  be  sur- 
rounded. Thus  being  driven  out  of  every  asylum, 
and  from  the  crippled  state  of  their  boats  being 
quite  impracticable  to  beat  about  from  place  to 
place,  an  opportunity  was  sought  to  confer  together 
as  to  the  course  proper  to  be  pursued  in  the  midst 
of  such  perplexities.  The  Captain  offered  up  prayer 
— a prayer  breathed  in  godly  sincerity,  and  in  firm 
reliance  upon  the  goodness  and  providential  direc- 
tion of  a Heavenly  Father  ; and  afterwards  it  was 
decided  that  an  eastward  course  should  be  pursued, 


256 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


and  if  a convenient  cove  could  not  be  found,  they 
would  proceed  to  Spaniard  Harbour. 

Once  more  they  set  forth  in  search  of  an  asylum, 
and  found  a cove  where  they  might  make  a short 
stay  and  take  in  water  and  wood.  In  the  course 
of  their  walk  over  the  headland,  which,  going  and 
returning,  occupied  five  hours,  they  saw  a guanaco 
acting  as  a scout,  perched  on  the  highest  point  of 
land,  and  watching  the  party  with  close  scrutiny. 
Before  they  got  very  near,  with  a leap  and  bound 
in  the  air,  it  gave  the  signal  to  the  herd  and  started 
off.  They  saw  the  foot-prints  of  these  animals  very 
numerous,  and  also  many  Indian  paths ; the  only 
other  traces  of  natives  was  a wigwam  on  the  beach. 

The  next  day  our  devoted  party  reached  Spaniard 
Harbour,  where  they  hoped  to  have  got  to  a place 
of  refuge,  and,  for  a time  at  least,  to  have  rest  from 
their  Avanderings.  They  remembered  their  long 
and  troublesome  passage  in  the  Ocean  Queen  over 
the  same  ground  they  had  noiv  traversed  so  pleas- 
antly and  easily,  and  seeing  the  hand  of  God  in 
his  mercy  and  favouring  providence,  unitedly  gave 
to  him  the  praise  and  the  glory.  It  was  noAV  the 
twenty-fifth  of  January,  and  the  sun  shining  out 
quite  warm,  the  delightful  weather  had  a most  in- 
vigorating effect  upon  the  missionary  party.  In 
some  places  the  scenery  Avas  quite  pleasing.  Spots 
of  good  meadoAV-land,  valleys,  and  copses  of  Avood, 
with  a bold  range  of  mountains  and  hilly  bluffs, 
met  the  eye  in  its  furthest  range.  Even  Terra  del 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


257 


Fuogo  could  put  on  a pleasing  aspect,  and  throw 
around  a radiance  which  communicated  itself  to  the 
spirits.  Why  should  not  the  benighted  children  of 
Fuegia  be  recovered  from  the  darkness  that  sur- 
rounded them  ? There  were  smiling  spots  of  nature 
here,  which  cultivation  might  reclaim  from  wild- 
ness, and  where  Christian  men  could  live ; and  why, 
then,  should  Fuegia  alone  of  all  the  earth  be  left 
without  the  gospel  light?  So  thought  the  meek  and 
pious  Williams,  as  he  explored  the  as  yet  untrod- 
den ground,  forcing  his  way  through  the  almost  im- 
pervious copses  of  a species  of  currant-bush.  On  re- 
turning to  the  boats,  he  found  them  on  the  opposite 
bank,  and,  as  the  tide  was  ebbing,  they  were  both 
aground.  As  they  had,  therefore,  no  means  of 
sending  for  him,  he  was  obliged  to  walk  and  find 
a fordable  place  for  crossing  the  stream.  In  order 
to  accomplish  this,  he  penetrated  farther  inland, 
and  found  the  country  more  open  and  the  trees 
larger,  but  perceiving  a few  wigwams  at  no  great 
distance,  he  deemed  a retreat  prudent,  as  he  was 
now  some  miles  away  from  the  boats.  He  therefore 
crossed  the  river  where  he  was,  and  after  a long 
journey,  now  in  the  forest  and  now  in  the  plain,  he 
found,  but  not  without  some  difficulty,  his  way  back 
again,  hungry  and  fatigued^  after  having  been  ab- 
sent five  or  six  hours. 

They  remained  at  Cook’s  river  until  January  28, 
when  finding  it  very  inconvenient  to  get  on  shore, 
as  well  as  imprudent  to  be  so  long  aground,  they 


258 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


removed  to  a well-sheltered  inlet  called  Earnest 
Cove.  Until  this  time  they  had  been  cheered  with 
the  prevalence  of  fine  weather,  some  of  the  days, 
for  a short  time,  equalling  in  warmth  and  bright- 
ness a summer’s  day  in  England.  At  nightfall, 
however,  it  usually  became  cold,  though  sometimes 
there  were  exceptions,  the  temperature  remaining 
high  and  even  close.  On  Friday,  the  last  day  of 
January,  after  a beautiful  day,  the  weather  began 
to  look  squally  and  to  rain  heavily,  and  continued 
to  do  so  all  night.  A heavy  gale  was  blowing  in 
the  offing,  but  the  boats  rode  very  snugly,  protected 
from  the  wind  which  blew  off  the  shore.  The  swell 
of  the  sea  caused  a great  strain  on  the  hawsers,  the 
jerks  of  which,  felt  by  all,  kept  them  awake  during 
the  night.  The  impression  made  upon  the  minds 
of  most  of  them  was  a vivid  suggestion  of  danger  ; 
hut  none  gave  way  to  despondence  or  fear.  Mr. 
Williams  declares,  “ a very  heaven  of  repose  and  love 
was  around  me,  and  my  heart  rested  so  assuredly 
and  implicitly  in  God,  that  it  was  blissful  to  feel  as 
I did.  Awakened  repeatedly  by  the  jerk  of  the 
hawsers,  and  the  strain  of  the  boats,  and  hearing 
the  roar  and  dash  of  the  water  around,  the  pelting 
of  the  rain  and  hail,  and  the  howl  of  the  sweeping 
blasts,  something  would  point  to  danger  as  present; 
but  I quietly  resigned  myself  to  slumber,  after  com- 
munion with  the  Keeper  of  Israel,  whose  eye  I 
knew  was  over  me.  In  the  morning,  I heard  the 
Captain  give  orders  for  the  Speedwell  to  cast  off 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


259 


from  her  stern,  apprehensive,  it  seemed,  of  the 
hawser  giving  way,  as  both  boats  were  riding  by  it. 
Scarce  a minute  elapsed  after  this  was  done  before 
the  concussion  of  the  boat  against  the  beach  was 
felt,  and  almost  as  instantly  a swell  broke  over  her 
stern  and  into  our  dormitory.  I could  scarcely 
credit  my  senses.  Another  and  another  thump,  and 
another  sea  breaking  in  over  us,  confirmed  me  in  the 
fact  that  something  fearful  had  happened.  On  look- 
ing out,  I found  the  Captain  and  Pearce  were  busily 
occupied  with  poles,  and  endeavouring  to  keep  her 
broadside  from  the  surf ; but  this  seemed  next  to 
impossible,  as  the  water  was  pouring  into  the  after 
part  of  the  boat,  tumbling  right  over  the  stern- 
sheets,  and  threatening  to  float  everything.  The 
poor  Pioneer  was  evidently  upon  the  rocks.  Owing 
to  the  force  of  the  swell,  no  effort  could  keep  her 
from  swinging  on  them,  and  she  rolled  backwards 
and  forwards  upon  the  surge,  threatening  to  knock 
herself  to  pieces.  It  was  useless  to  bail  any  longer, 
and  we  soon  gave  up  all  hope  of  doing  anything 
for  her,  but  proceeded  as  rapidly  as  we  could  to  get 
our  things  out  of  her.  Our  Captain,  always  first  in 
everything,  now  got  into  the  cabin  to  hand  out  the 
things,  and  by  this  time  our  boxes  were  already 
floating,  and  the  most  of  our  goods  wet.  Mr. 
Maidment  and  I waded  through  the  surf  and  the 
swell,  backwards  and  forwards,  carrying  ashore  the 
bedding  and  tools  as  the  Captain  and  Pearce  handed 
them  out.” 


260 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


At  nightfall,  a storm  of  snow  came  on,  and  some 
of  the  party  took  refuge  in  a large  cavern,  which 
opened  to  the  sea,  and  was  quite  near  to  where  the 
boat  had  stranded.  They  found  shells  cast  up  at  the 
further  end  of  the  cavern,  which  made  it  evident 
that  under  extraordinary  tides  with  gales  of  wind 
concurring,  the  water  reached  so  far, — no  agreeable 
information  to  those  who  proposed  taking  up  their 
night’s  quarters  there.  But  as  there  was  no  cause 
for  present  apprehension,  they  lighted  a fire  near 
the  entrance  of  the  cave,  and  after  refreshment  and 
prayer,  committed  themselves  to  God  as  unto  a 
faithful  Creator.  In  spite  of  wet  clothes  and  strong 
apprehensions,  they  got  a sound  night’s  rest.  The 
roar  of  the  water  as  it  washed  through  the  arch- 
way of  a huge  rock,  met  with  another  army  of 
waves  from  the  opposite  side,  and  then,  in  a mighty 
struggle  against  each  other,  heaving  and  foaming, 
came  bellowing  into  the  cave.  “ This  roar  of  water,” 
says  Mr.  Williams,  “ disturbed  me  now  and  then,  and 
the  thought  that,  like  some  voracious  animal,  it  was 
almost  upon  us,  just  occurred  to  me;  but  it  could 
not  drive  away  sleep  from  my  eyes,  for  I was  at 
peace  with  God,  and  had  hope  in  him.” 

Captain  Gardiner  at  first  entertained  hopes  that 
the  Pioneer  might  be  repaired,  and  that  her  dam- 
ages were  not  very  serious.  But  it  was  found  that 
her  bows  were  driven  in  by  the  jagged  root  of  a 
large  tree  which  lay  prostrate  on  the  beach,  and 
her  bilge  so  much  injured  that  nothing  could  be 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


261 


done  to  save  her.  The  weather  continuing  stormy, 
hail,  rain,  and  snow  succeeding  each  other,  the 
wind  blowing  a gale  and  the  sea  foaming,  the  work 
of  destruction  was  completed.  The  party  were  en- 
tirely confined  to  the  cave,  which  proved  to  be  very 
damp,  and  the  smoke  of  the  fire  drifting  into  it, 
made  it  no  agreeable  residence ; although,  in  their 
emergency,  they  felt  it  to  be  a mercifully  provided 
shelter.  They  had,  in  all  this  trouble,  no  opportu- 
nity of  communicating  with  the  Speedwell , but  on 
Monday,  Feb.  2,  the  weather  had  subsided  sufficiently 
for  the  crew  to  come  ashore  on  the  raft ; they,  too, 
had  been  in  danger,  and  were  obliged  to  take  their 
stove  and  attach  it  to  a hawser,  and  throw  it  out  as 
an  anchor;  in  case  her  chain  cable  parted,  therefore 
they  could  not  cook  anything.  They  continued 
their  residence  in  the  cavern  for  several  days,  during 
which  time  they  employed  themselves  in  hauling 
the  remains  of  the  Pioneer  higher  on  the  beach, 
and  with  the  help  of  the  tent  and  some  oiled  can- 
vas, they  converted  it  into  a comfortable  sleeping- 
place.  It  might  now  have  been  possible,  had  the 
weather  been  mild,  to  proceed  to  Woollya  in  the 
Speedwell , with  seven  hands  on  board,  five  of  whom 
were  men  bred  to  the  sea,  taking  with  them  part 
of  their  provisions ; but  having  lost  their  landing 
boats  in  one  gale  and  the  Pioneer  itself  in  another, 
they  felt  it  would  be  useless  to  make  any  further 
attempt  with  their  present  means.  They  determined, 
therefore,  to  wait  in  Spaniard  Harbour  till  the  ar- 


262 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


rival  of  the  relieving  vessel  from  England  or  the 
Falklands,  which  they  had  reason  to  expect  about 
the  commencement  of  April.  The  possibility  of  a 
vessel  not  arriving  did  not  occur  to  one  of  the 
party.  The  result  of  their  consultation  is  given  by 
Mr.  Williams.  “ How  evident,”  says  he,  “that  we 
were  not  in  a position  to  commence,  with  such  slight 
means,  so  arduous  an  undertaking  ! But  all  this 
is  well ; the  mission  has  thereby  begun,  which,  had 
we  awaited  for  more  efficient  means,  it  probably 
never  would  have  been.  We  are  all  agreed  that 
nothing  short  of  a brigantine  or  schooner  of  eighty 
or  a hundred  tons  burden  can  answer  our  ends,  and 
to  procure  this  ultimately,  the  Captain  has  fully  de- 
termined to  use  every  effort.  Our  plan  of  action 
is  now  to  ‘ rough  it’  through  all  the  circumstances 
it  shall  please  God  to  permit  to  happen  to  us,  until 
the  arrival  of  a vessel,  and  then  to  take  some  Fue- 
gians,  and  go  to  the  Falkland  Islands,  there  to  learn 
their  language,  and  when  we  have  acquired  it,  and 
got  the  necessary  vessel,  to  come  out  again,  and  go 
amongst  them.” 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


263 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

SICKNESS  AND  FAMINE. 

“ Though  round  me  the  waves  of  adversity  roll, 

Though  rocks  of  destruction  encompass  my  soul, 

In  vain  this  frail  vessel  the  tempest  shall  toss, 

My  hope  rests  secure  on  the  blood  of  the  cross.” 

It  soon  became  impossible  to  alter  the  decision 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  chapter,  for  the  humidity 
of  the  climate  and  continual  hardships  began  to 
tell  on  the  health  of  the  party.  The  first  sufferer 
was  the  young  surgeon,  Mr.  Williams;  his  disorder 
began  with  a violent  cold,  hut  early  in  March 
symptoms  of  scurvy  were  apparent.  John  Badcock 
was  the  next,  who  showed  signs  of  the  same  disease. 
In  order  to  make  more  room  for  the  invalids,  Cap- 
tain Gardiner  made  a little  shelter  for  himself  under 
a projecting  rock,  with  poles  and  canvas.  Cold 
and  cheerless  as  this  place  was,  he  seems  to  have 
enjoyed  it  for  a few  days,  and  called  it  “ the  Her- 
mitage.” But  it  wTas  soon  destroyed  by  the  fire, 
which  had  been  ineffectual  to  keep  it  warm.  To 
obviate  the  possibility  of  a relieving  vessel  missing 


264 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


them,  they  seized  the  opportunity,  when  Mr.  Wil- 
liams recovered  from  the  violence  of  his  first  attack, 
to  proceed  once  more  to  Banner  Cove.  They  had  a 
double  object  in  doing  so ; to  leave  directions  to 
any  vessel  to  look  for  them  in  Spaniard  Harbour, 
and  to  bring  away  their  remaining  provisions  from 
the  place  of  concealment.  All  day  they  were 
tossed  by  the  waves,  but  steadily  made  way ; at 
night  a heavy  swell  arose,  and  the  sea  broke  over 
the  deck.  Not  wishing  to  expose  Mr.  Williams  to 
the  fatigue  of  a longer  passage,  they  anchored  early 
in  the  morning  in  a harbour,  which  they  called  Re- 
liance Cove.  Here  they  remained  for  three  days. 
Although  Mr.  Williams  was  unable  to  leave  his  bed, 
and  was  much  distressed  with  pains  in  his  limbs  and 
debility ; although  he  felt  that  his  disease  was  gain- 
ing ground  every  day,  he  availed  himself  of  every 
opportunity  to  teach  and  encourage  his  companions. 
The  Captain  and  Mr.  Maidment  took  a long  walk 
to  explore  the  coast  in  the  direction  of  Banner 
Cove,  to  find,  if  possible,  a better  anchorage.  Mr. 
Williams  says  in  his  journal,  “ They  will  have  a 
terrible  walk;  for  the  Captain  is  iron-hearted  as  to 
difficulties,  and  almost  incapable  of  fatigue;  he  will 
yield  to  nothing  but  impossibilities,  hut  Mr.  Maid- 
ment is  too  weak  and  unwell  for  such  a trial  of 
strength.  In  their  absence  I have  had  the  men  to- 
gether, and  joined  with  them  in  a hymn  and  prayer. 
It  was  like  a little  heaven  below.  Thank  God,  the 
Captain  and  Mr.  Maidment  returned  in  safety, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


265 


coming  back  a little  after  nine  o’clock,  having  gone 
more  than  sixteen  miles  through  a rough  and  moun- 
tainous country.  Much  to  my  surprise,  Mr.  Maid- 
ment  seems  less  affected  than  the  Captain,  who,  for 
the  first  time,  has  expressed  himself  fatigued.” 

On  Saturday,  March  21st,  they  left  Reliance 
Harbour  to  seek  some  new  abode.  Whither  they 
wrere  bound,  circumstances  would  decide.  They 
named  the  place  Reliance  Cove,  not  on  account  of 
the  protection  it  was  capable  of  affording,  but  be- 
cause of  their  reliance  upon  God,  who  made  it  a 
place  of  shelter  by  the  ivay.  Both  nights  of  their 
stay  there  had  been  stormy,  and  the  wind  threat- 
ened to  blow  hard,  which,  had  it  done,  their  boat 
would  have  been  dashed  in  pieces  on  the  sharp 
shingle  beach.  Mr.  Williams  deemed  their  putting 
in  to  that  cove  as  an  especial  providence ; had 
they  proceeded  to  Banner  Cove,  they  must  have 
been  lost.  Trusting  themselves  and  their  cockle-shell 
of  a boat  once  more  to  the  treacherous  sea,  attended 
by  boisterous  squalls,  “williwaws”  with  hail  and 
snow,  and  every  moment  in  danger  of  their  frail 
vessel  with  its  disproportioned  deck -load  capsizing, 
they  reached  Banner  Cove.  Mr.  Williams  wrote  in 
his  journal  at  this  time,  “ I am  much  affected  by 
the  kindness  of  the  Captain,  and  his  humble  and 
gentle  deportment.  Ilis  prayer  yesterday  was  an 
outpouring  of  his  soul  before  God,  in  so  unaffected 
and  sincere  a manner,  with  such  unqualified  expres- 
sions of  resignation  to  the  will,  and  humble  trust  in 
23 


266 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  mercy  of  God,  that  it  made  me  oivn  ■with  joy, 
that  here  was  a child  of  God  addressing  the  Father 
of  all  mercies.”  Arriving  near  their  old  station, 
on  looking  in  the  direction  of  their  old  quarters, 
they  discovered  a light  from  a fire,  kindled,  as  they 
thought,  in  their  wigwam.  They  concluded  that  it 
had  been  taken  possession  of  by  the  natives,  but 
this  was  not  the  case.  In  the  morning  it  was  dis- 
covered a new  wigwam  had  been  built  near  it,  and 
they  soon  had  ocular  demonstration  that  a large 
party  of  natives  was  established  there.  Every 
heart  was  now  heavy  with  the  expectation  of  a repe- 
tition of  their  former  trials.  Every  moment  they 
were  sure  they  would  behold  the  face  of  the  redoubt- 
able Jemmy  and  his  associates,  their  late  mortal  foes. 
But  they  were  agreeably  surprised  to  find  that  the 
party,  numbering  fifteen,  were  entire  strangers,  and 
much  more  gentle  in  their  bearing.  On  Monday, 
they  began  to  recover  the  provisions  which  they 
had  stowed  away,  including  a barrel  of  pork  and 
three  barrels  of  biscuits.  The  goats  they  had  left 
on  Garden  Island,  they  were  sorry  to  discover,  were 
all  gone.  Their  next  business  was  to  bury  some 
bottles  with  notes  in  them,  containing  the  following 
directions  : “ We  have  gone  to  Spaniard  Harbour 

which  is  on  the  main  island,  not  far  from  Cape 
Ivinnaird.  We  have  sickness  on  board : our  sup- 
plies are  nearly  out,  and,  if  not  soon  relieved,  we 
shall  be  starved.  The  natives  are  hostile.”  Having 
buried  these  notes,  and  fixed  white  stakes  in  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


267 


ground,  marked  with  black  crosses,  and  proper  di- 
rections, Captain  Gardiner  painted  on  the  rocks  in 
one  place,  “Gone  to  Spaniard  Harbour,”  and  in 
another,  “ You  will  find  us  in  Spaniard  Harbour.” 
Before  these  notices  were  finished,  a fresh  party  of 
natives  made  their  appearance,  among  whom  were 
some  of  their  old  and  evil-disposed  acquaintances. 
They  were  very  boisterous  and  presuming,  and  cut 
the  rope  attached  to  the  raft,  which  with  great  diffi- 
culty was  recovered  from  going  adrift.  Our  seven 
friends  now  left  Banner  Cove  for  the  last  time,  and 
sailed  for  Spaniard  Harbour,  “the  only  place  where 
they  hoped  to  find  rest  for  the  soles  of  their  feet;” 
and  where  they  proposed  to  remain  until  a vessel 
came  to  their  relief.  In  these  distressing  circum- 
stances, with  sickness  among  them,  and  threatened 
with  constant  danger  of  all  kinds,  no  murmurings 
were  heard  among  them.  They  knew  that  the  broad 
eye  of  God  was  resting  upon  them,  and  that,  al- 
though seemingly  dead  to  their  friends  and  the  busy 
wrnrld,  they  were  “living  in  God  and  to  God.”  They 
set  sail  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning ; every 
movement  on  the  part  of  the  natives  convincing 
them  that  a large  reinforcement  was  expected  in  the 
course  of  the  day.  No  hindrance  however  was  op- 
posed to  their  leaving,  and  aided  by  a favouring 
wind,  they  reached  Earnest  Cove  in  safety  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  next  day.  Here  they  enjoyed  the 
blessing  of  rest,  but  as  they  had  not  suitable  food, 
sickness  progressed,  not  rapidly,  but  surely.  Mr. 


268 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Williams  and  John  Badcock  were  the  greatest  suf- 
ferers, and  soon  became  unable  to  go  forth  at  all. 
The  boat  in  which  they  had  their  berths  was  very 
unsuitable  to  their  condition.  If  the  entrance  door 
to  the  berths  was  shut,  all  air  for  ventilation  was 
excluded ; if  it  was  open,  they  were  half  frozen. 
The  vapour  from  their  breaths  accumulated  on  the 
iron  roof  of  the  deck,  which  was  only  a few  inches 
higher  than  their  pillows,  and  dropped  and  trickled 
down  in  such  quantities  that  it  was  very  trouble- 
some. The  preserved  meat  was  fast  hastening  to 
an  end,  as  also  was  the  supply  of  spirits ; and  the 
pork  had  become  distasteful  to  their  sickly  appetites. 
Others  of  the  party  began  also  to  show  unmistak- 
able symptoms  of  scurvy.  Uncertainty,  if  not  ap- 
prehensions that  a vessel  of  relief  might  not  arrive, 
gradually  took  possession  of  the  most  hopeful.  The 
turbulence  of  the  weather,  which  in  violence  now 
exceeded  all  within  their  former  experience,  added 
to  the  horrors  of  their  situation.  Yet  still  they 
looked  these  terrors  in  the  face,  and  by  patience 
and  faith  half  disarmed  them.  They  were  now 
so  fortunate  as  occasionally  to  obtain  fish,  so  as 
to  preserve  their  stores  a little  longer.  Sometimes 
they  were  able  to  catch  a shag  or  penguin,  and  once 
Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Maidment  succeeded  in 
killing  a fox,  and  though  repulsive  to  their  feelings, 
the  body  of  the  animal  was  roasted  and  eaten. 
They  saw  some  guanacos,  which  brought  the  loss  of 
their  powder  keenly  to  their  minds.  The  events  of 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


269 


this  month  were  few,  but  full  of  painful  interest. 
Williams  and  Badcock  slept  at  one  compartment  of 
the  Speedwell , Erwin  and  Bryant  occupied  the 
other.  Gardiner,  Maidment,  and  Pearce,  retired  to 
the  Pioneer , which  was  roofed  over  with  the  tent. 
In  the  second  week  in  April,  Bryant  began  to  sicken ; 
but  he  never  seems  to  have  been  quite  laid  up.  A 
few  days  later,  a fearful  storm  raged  with  terrific 
violence,  howling  and  crashing  among  the  trees, 
bending  down  the  tent  of  the  Pioneer  like  a bow  in 
the  hands  of  a strong  man,  and  tightening,  with  strain- 
ing jerks,  the  hawser  which  connected  the  Speed- 
well with  the  shore.  Early  in  the  night,  Gardiner, 
Maidment,  and  Pearce  were  driven  from  the  Pioneer , 
and  tried  to  enter  the  cavern  for  greater  security. 
They  only  succeeded  with  great  difficulty,  as  the 
waves  dashed  over  the  rock  at  the  entrance.  There, 
fearing  for  the  safety  of  their  friends  in  the  Speed- 
well, they  knelt  down  and  committed  them  to  the 
protecting  hand  of  God.  The  angry  wind  still 
swept  along.  Several  trees  were  blown  down  ; one 
fell  near  the  wreck  of  the  Pioneer , just  as  its  in- 
mates were  passing  by.  As  soon  as  it  was  possible, 
after  the  storm,  the  Speedwell  was  removed  higher 
up  the  Bay,  and  anchored  at  the  entrance  of  Cook’s 
River.  The  Pioneer , not  being  in  a condition  to  be 
floated,  remained  where  it  was  first  stranded;  there 
was  therefore  a considerable  distance  between  the 
boats,  and  it  was  thought  better  for  Pearce  to  stay 
with  the  Speedwell , that  he  might  help  to  wait  on 
23  * 


270 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  TIIE 


the  sick  men.  They  looked  in  vain  for  the  vessel 
which  should  relieve  them,  and  hope  began  to  die 
out.  On  the  21st  of  April,  their  principal  supplies 
failing,  it  -was  necessary  to  put  all  who  were  in 
health  on  short  allowance.  At  such  a moment  of 
anxiety  they  read  and  loved  the  Scriptures.  Their 
poor  abode  was  a very  Bethel  to  their  souls,  for 
there  they  united  in  thanksgiving  and  prayer. 

We  make  an  extract  here  from  Gardiner’s  diary. 
“ Pioneer  Cavern,  May  8,  1851.  Though  I walk  in 
the  midst  of  trouble,  thou  wilt  revive  me.  Mine 
eyes  are  unto  thee,  0 God  the  Lord.  Iu  thee  is 
my  trust.  Ps.  cxxxviii.  7 ; and  cxli.  8. 

Sweet  peace  have  they,  whose  minds  are  stayed 
Firm  on  the  Rock,  in  Zion  laid : 

No  anxious  cares  disturb  their  rest. 

Whate’er  of  earthly  ills  betide, 

Amid  the  storm  secure  they  ride, 

Their  souls  in  patience  are  possessed. 

Children  of  Ilim,  whose  watchful  eye 
Regards  the  ravens  when  they  cry, 

AVhy  need  they  fear  impending  ill  ? 

They  know  their  hairs  are  numbered  all, 

Nor  can  the  smallest  sparrow  fall 

Without  their  Father’s  sovereign  will. 

Though  all  around  bo  dark  and  drear, 

Nor  sun,  nor  moon,  nor  stars  appear 
And  every  earthly  Cherith  dries ; 

Faith  bears  the  drooping  spirit  up, 

And  sweetens  every  bitter  cup, 

A bow  in  every  cloud  descries. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


271 


The  Lord,  who  gave,  may  surely  take, 

The  bruised  reed  he  will  not  break, 

He  knows  we  are  but  dust. 

The  oil  and  meal  alike  may  fail, 

The  whelming  storm  may  long  prevail, 

Yet  on  his  promise  we  will  trust. 

Whate’er  in  wisdom  he  denies, 

A richer  boon  his  grace  supplies — 

A peace  the  world  can  ne’er  bestow. 

Though  nought  remain,  we’re  not  bereft, 

What  most  we  value,  still  is  left, — 

The  Eock,  whence  living  waters  flow. 

Then  come  what  may,  we’ll  humbly  wait, 

His  arm  was  never  bared  too  late, 

The  promise  will  not,  cannot  fail. 

Though  dark  the  night,  the  morn  will  break, 

His  own  the  Lord  will  not  forsake : 

The  prayer  of  faith  shall  yet  prevail; 

And  we  shall  deem  the  trial  sweet, 

That  laid  us  waiting  at  his  feet.” 

About  this  time  Mr.  Williams,  although  feeling, 
as  he  said,  “ the  prostration  of  death  upon  him,” 
writes,  “ To-day,  May  7,  we  are  in  the  highest  se- 
verity of  a Fuegian  winter; — I suffer  intense  pain; 
— the  water  from  the  roof  of  the  boat  lodges  in 
pools  upon  my  bed,  and  all  our  clothes  are  wringing 
wet.  Some  new  symptoms  now  show  the  inroads 
of  the  disease  upon  my  system,  and  strongly  point 
out  to  a fatal  termination.  Can  I be  in  any  way  dis- 
appointed at  this,  instead  of  a life  of  much  service 
and  glory  to  God  ? No,  I am  not  disappointed ; 
for  God’s  glory  can  only  be  enhanced  by  fulfilling 


272 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


the  counsels  of  his  own  will ; and  to  suffer  his 
blessed  will  as  much  glorifies  my  God  as  to  do  it.” 
Although  sick,  and  all  around  them  was  dreary, 
they  set  apart  a day  for  special  prayer  in  behalf  of 
the  sick,  and  for  the  arrival  of  the  expected  vessel. 
The  weather  was  cold,  and  the  wind  blustering.  At 
the  end  of  May  they  had  another  fearful  night. 
The  tide  and  surf  dashed  violently.  The  net  was 
broken  by  the  strength  of  the  tide.  The  wreck  of 
the  Pioneer  was  moved  by  the  waves,  and  the  spray 
dashed  in.  Snow  was  falling,  and  there  was  ice  on 
the  river.  But  the  never-failing  word  of  God  was 
at  hand,  and  amid  all  these  distressful  occurrences, 
it  proved  their  best  treasure,  for  from  it  Gardiner 
read,  to  his  own  comfort  and  that  of  his  brothers  in 
affliction.  “Wait  on  the  Lord,  be  of  good  courage, 
and  he  shall  strengthen  thine  heart.  Wait  I say 
on  the  Lord.”  Ps.  xxvii.  14.  These  words  were 
entered  in  the  diary ; and,  under  them,  the  follow- 
ing lines : — 

In  heaven,  the  Christian  pilgrim’s  rest, 

Where  all  are  holy,  all  are  bless'd, 

There  is  no  night: 

No  sun  nor  moon  could  add  one  ray 
To  that  effulgent,  endless  day, 

Where  all  is  bright, 

And  saints  behold,  with  open  face, 

The  glories  of  redeeming  grace. 

And  why  should  there  be  night  below, 

Even  in  this  world  of  sin  and  woe, 

Where  Christians  dwell  ? 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


273 


When  Egypt  felt  that  darksome  night, 

In  Goshen  all  was  clear  and  bright, 

And  joy  could  swell 
From  grateful  hearts,  securely  kept, 

When  judgments  all  around  them  swept. 

Let  that  sweet  word  our  spirits  cheer, 

Which  quelled  the  tossed  disciples’  fear, 

“ Be  not  afraid 

He,  who  could  bid  the  tempest  cease, 

Can  keep  our  souls  in  perfect  peace, 

If  on  him  stayed : 

And  we  shall  own,  ’twas  good  to  wait, 

No  blessing  ever  came  too  late. 

Pioneer  Cavern,  June  4,  1851.” 

Until  this  time,  Mr.  Williams  hoped  that,  should 
the  expected  ship  arrive,  his  disease  might  yield  to 
the  influence  of  proper  treatment  and  good  food, 
but  on  trying  with  the  aid  of  Bryant  to  walk,  he 
found  he  had  no  power  over  his  limbs.  But  al- 
though he  now  gave  up  all  hope  of  recovery,  his 
mind  never  participated  in  his  bodily  prostration, 
and  he  kept  his  journal  up  to  June  21,  the  shortest 
day  of  these  regions,  when  the  night  lasts  sixteen 
hours.  This  personal  narrative  he  no  doubt  in- 
tended as  a messenger  to  tell  his  Burslem  friends 
how  it  fared  with  him  in  the  last  stage  of  his  pil- 
grimage. Eventually,  therefore,  we  believe  that  it 
was  chiefly  for  their  sakes  that,  by  the  light  of  a 
candle,  and  with  “aching  fingers,”  as  he  lay  in  his 
cheerless  cabin,  he  continued  to  record  the  incidents 
and  impressions  of  these  lonely  days,  until  the  last 


274 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


entry  was  made,  which  contains  expressions  that 
would  indicate  that  the  mind  of  the  writer  had  begun 
to  wander.  But  even  amidst  those  confused  per- 
ceptions, it  shows  that  his  faith  in  God  was  still 
clear  and  unclouded. 

Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Maidment  continued 
to  lodge  at  the  cavern,  about  a mile  and  a half  from 
the  mouth  of  Cook’s  River,  where  the  boat  con- 
taining the  rest  of  the  party  was  moored.  And 
though  the  distance  was  not  great,  so  exhausted  and 
weakened  were  they  all,  that  they  could  not  main- 
tain a daily  communication.  On  Saturday,  June 
28,  1851,  Gardiner’s  birthday,  he  visited  the  Speed- 
well, and  found  Mr.  Williams  and  Badcock  very  ill — 
the  shadow  of  death  evidently  creeping  over  the  latter, 
who  was  most  patient,  and  leaning  only  upon  his 
God.  On  his  return  to  his  cavern,  he  uttered  a 
most  solemn  prayer,  and  made  a long  entry  in  his 
journal : — 

“ We  are  now,  by  the  providence  of  God, 
brought  into  circumstances  which  to  the  flesh  are 

trying But  I will  not  be  anxious  on  that 

account ; we  are  in  the  Lord’s  service,  and  he  is 
merciful  and  full  of  compassion.  Though  he  cause 
grief,  he  will  have  compassion,  according  to  the 
multitude  of  his  mercies.  I know  that  it  is  written, 
‘They  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  want  no  manner  of 
thing  that  is  good.’  Ps.  xxxiv.  10.  And  again,  ‘Cast 
thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain 
thee.’  Ps.  lv.  22 Whatever  the  Lord  may, 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


275 


in  his  providence,  see  fit  to  take  away,  it  is  that 

which  he  himself  has  bestowed Still  I pray 

that,  if  it  be  consistent  with  thy  righteous  will,  O 
my  heavenly  Father,  thou  wouldst  look  down 
with  compassion  upon  me  and  upon  my  companions, 
who  are  straitened  for  lack  of  food,  and  vouch- 
safe to  provide  that  which  is  needful  ....  but,  if 

otherwise,  thy  will  be  done May  I learn 

entire  submission  of  my  will  to  thine ; may  every 

high  place  of  pride  be  abased  in  my  heart 

Lord,  I pray  that  thou  mayest  be  honoured  in  me, 
whether  by  life  or  by  death,  and  that  I may  never 
depart  from  thee.  Uphold  me  by  thy  grace,  and 
keep  me  from  anxious  care,  from  murmuring,  and 
unbelief;  and  may  the  sincere  language  of  my  heart 
be,  under  every  circumstance,  ‘ The  Lord  gave 
and  should  the  Lord  my  God  see  fit  to  recall  any 
of  his  gifts,  and  even  to  take  away  all,  still  ‘ blessed 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord.’  ‘He  hath  done  all  things 
well.’  One  more  petition  I would  offer  to  thy 
throne  of  grace,  0 merciful  Lord ; I pray  that 
thou  wouldst  graciously  prepare  a way  for  the 
entrance  of  thy  servants  among  the  poor  heathen 

of  these  islands Grant,  0 Lord,  that  we 

may  be  instrumental  in  commencing  this  great  and 
blessed  work ; but  shouldst  thou  see  fit,  in  thy  pro- 
vidence to  hedge  up  our  way,  and  that  we  should 
even  languish  and  die  here,  I beseech  thee  to  raise 
up  others,  and  to  send  forth  labourers  into  this  har- 
vest. Let  it  be  seen,  for  the  manifestation  of  thy 


276 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


glory  and  grace,  that  nothing  is  too  hard  for  thee 
. . . . and  hasten  the  day,  when  the  knowledge  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  shall  be  manifested,  not  here 
only,  but  throughout  every  nation,  and  people,  and 
tribe  : and  prayer  and  praise  shall  ascend,  and  a 
pure  offering  from  the  hearts  of  multitudes  Avho  are 

now  sitting  in  darkness 

“ Pioneer  Cavern,  June  28,  1851, 

“ (my  birthday).” 

At  eleven  o’clock  on  that  same  evening  John 
Badcock  died.  He  requested  Mr.  Williams  to  join 
him  in  singing  a hymn.  Cheerfully  they  sang  to- 
gether : — 

“Arise,  my  soul,  arise! 

Shake  off  thy  guilty  fears  ! 

The  bleeding  sacrifice 
In  my  behalf  appears. 

Before  the  throne  my  Surety  stands  ; 

My  name  is  written  on  his  hands.” 

In  a few  minutes  after  he  ceased  to  breathe,  and 
the  next  day  his  remains  were  interred  on  the  neigh- 
bouring bank. 

Thus  the  first  break  was  made  in  the  little  band 
of  pioneers  in  a noble  cause,  and  it  seemed  as  if 
their  bond  of  affection  was  by  it  only  drawn  the 
closer.  They  now  began  to  realize  the  frightful 
prospect  of  famine  unrelieved,  and  Gardiner’s  view 
of  the  terrible  prospect  is  vividly  marked  by  the 
following  entry  in  his  journal : “ Be  merciful  unto 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


277 


mo,  0 God,  be  merciful  unto  me,  for  my  soul  trusteth 
in  thee ; yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I 
make  my  refuge,  until  these  calamities  are  overpast. 
Ps.  lvii.  1.”  And  now  sustained  by  the  most  vivid 
faith,  the  stronger  tenderly  nursed  the  weak,  and 
exerted  their  own  failing  powers  to  provide  fresh 
food  by  every  resource  of  ingenuity.  They  mended 
the  broken  net  and  again  set  it,  but  the  floating 
blocks  of  ice  tore  it  to  pieces. 

“ Thus,”  wrote  Gardiner,  “ the  Lord  has  seen  fit 
to  render  another  means  abortive,  doubtless  to  make 
His  power  more  apparent,  and  to  show  us  that  all 
our  help  is  to  come  immediately  from  him.”  The 
next  song  is  a march  of  triumph,  and  is  headed  with 
the  words  of  Scripture,  “ The  night  is  far  spent, 
the  day  is  at  hand.”  Rom.  xiii.  12.  “Let  us  run 
with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  looking 
unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.” 
Heb.  xii.  1,  2. 

“ Pilgrims  to  the  heavenly  land, 

Journeying  through  the  wilderness, 

Meet  with  snares  on  every  hand  ; 

Subtle  foes  around  them  press, 

Crosses  still  their  path  attend, 

Till  they  reach  their  journey’s  end. 

Till  the  night  of  toil  is  past, 

Storms  and  trials  mark  the  way ; 

But  we  hope  to  reach  at  last 

Those  bright  realms  of  endless  day, 

Where  ransomed  saints  His  face  adore, 

Who  all  their  sins  and  sorrows  bore. 

24 


278 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Forward,  then  ! with  joy  we’ll  praise, 
Faint  and  weary,  yet  pursuing. 

Each  conflict  o’er,  the  journey’s  less  ; 

A smoother  path  might  prove  our  ruin. 
Trials  make  the  promise  sweet, 

Bring  us  to  the  mercy-seat. 


How  few  the  ills  we’re  called  to  meet ! 

How  light  the  burden  we  sustain  ! 
Grace  makes  the  bitterest  trial  sweet, 
And  turns  our  losses  into  gain. 

Faith  can  unveil  the  darkest  sky, 

And  view  the  heavenly  Shepherd  nigh. 


Upheld  by  everlasting  arms, 

Confiding  souls  can  never  sink, 

Safe  in  the  Ark,  no  storm  alarms ; 

Or,  if  they  stand  on  Jordan’s  brink, 
And  Satan  there  should  still  pursue, 
Jesus  will  hear  them  safely  through. 


Then  let  us  gird  our  loins  afresh, 

And  lean  upon  our  heavenly  Guide. 
AVe  trust  not  in  an  arm  of  flesh, 

The  Lord,  our  banner,  will  provide ; 
And  every  trial  that  we  meet, 

Shall  bind  us  closer  to  his  feet. 


And  when  we  reach  that  happy  shore, 
And  in  Emmanuel’s  presence  stand, 
AVe  shall  confess,  if  not  before, 

All  was  in  love  and  wisdom  planned ; 
And  had  one  chastisement  been  spared, 
One  blessing  less  our  souls  had  shared. 
Pioneer  Cavern,  June  10,  1851. 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


279 


Erwin  was  the  next  who  was  taken  ill.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams writes,  “All  hands  are  now  sadly  afl’ected. 
Captain  Gardiner,  a miracle  of  constitutional  vigour, 
has  suffered  the  least,  lie  says  he  is  ‘ none  the 
worse,  but  his  countenance  bespeaks  the  contrary.’  ” 

A very  little  of  the  original  flask  and  a half  of 
powder  wras  now  left.  On  two  occasions,  five  ducks 
were  killed  with  a single  shot,  so  thickly  were  the 
birds  settled  on  the  water. 

Again  Gardiner  writes  : — 

“ They  shall  not  be  ashamed  that  wait  for  me.” 
Isa.  xlix.  23. 

“ He  will  regard  the  prayer  of  the  destitute,  and 
not  despise  their  prayer.”  Ps.  cii.  17. 

“ They  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any 
good  thing.”  Ps.  xxxiv.  10. 

As  their  thoughts  fly  heavenward,  the  poetic 
notes  mount  higher : — 

“ Courage,  comrades,  onward  press, 

Let  not  fleeting  storms  offend  ; 

We  must  cross  the  wilderness, 

Ere  we  reach  the  journey’s  end. 

Before  us  lies  that  blissful  shore, 

Where  sin  and  grief  assail  no  more. 


There  is  no  path  so  rough,  so  drear, 

No  thorny  wilderness  so  dry, 

But  living  streams  are  flowing  near, 
And  One  to  guide  our  footsteps  nigh ; 
’Tis  unbelief  alone,  that  hides 
The  blessings,  which  our  God  provides. 


280 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Oft  in  affliction’s  darkest  night, 

When  all  our  earthly  gourds  decay, 

The  spirit  takes  her  loftiest  flight, 

And  soars  to  realms  of  endless  day. 

In  that  pure  light  she  sits  serene, 

And  calmly  views  the  troubled  scene. 

For  ’tis  our  privilege  to  know, 

Whate’er  of  sufferings  we  may  share, 

A Father’s  hand  inflicts  the  blow  ; 

’Tis  but  the  children’s  mark  we  bear. 

Take  courage,  then — the  journey’s  short, 

These  light  afflictions  soon  will  end; 

By  grace  thus  far  we  have  been  brought, 

And  grace  will  still  our  steps  attend.” 

Pioneer  Cavern,  June  16,  1851. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr. 
Maidment  were  driven  from  their  cavern  bj  the 
advancing  tide.  They  at  first  retired  to  their  sleep- 
ing boat ; but  as  the  tide  threatened  to  sweep  it 
away,  they  proceeded  higher  still,  to  a favourite 
rock,  and  there  offered  prayer  and  thanksgiving  to 
God.  The  tide  still  advanced,  and  drove  them  from 
this  refuge  into  the  wood.  There  was  no  shelter 
there,  for  the  drippings  from  the  trees  were  worse 
than  the  rain  which  was  falling.  It  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  they  found  their  way  to  the  Speedwell. 
The  faithful  Erwin  insisted  on  giving  up  his  bed  to 
the  man  whom  he  loved  to  serve,  and  sat  up  with 
Bryant  all  night.  When  the  tide  permitted,  Gar- 
diner and  Maidment  returned  to  their  boat  in 
Earnest  Cove,  and  united  in  prayer  and  thanks  for 


TIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


281 


their  merciful  preservation.  They  had  now  been 
seven  weeks  on  short  allowance.  The  provisions 
had  been  divided  according  to  the  number  of  per- 
sons. The  store  at  Pioneer  Cavern  consisted  of 
half  a duck,  one  pound  of  salt  pork,  one  pound  of 
damaged  tea,  one  pint  of  rice,  two  cakes  of  choco- 
late, four  pints  of  peas,  and  six  mice.  From  this 
time  forward,  to  the  end  of  their  tragic  history,  all 
the  party  fed  in  great  measure  on  mussels  and 
limpets,  a kind  of  gelatinous  seaweed,  and  wild 
celery,  which  Mr.  Maidment,  although  greatly  de- 
bilitated, was  indefatigable  in  collecting.  In  noting 
down  their  wants  and  difficulties  at  this  time,  Gar- 
diner expresses  his  thankfulness  for  the  grace  be- 
stowed on  his  suffering  companions,  “who,  with  the 
utmost  cheerfulness,  endure  all  without  a murmur, 
patiently  waiting  the  Lord’s  time  to  deliver  them, 
or  ready  to  languish  and  die  here,  knowing  that 
what  he  shall  appoint  will  be  well.” 

It  would  appear,  that  about  this  time  a hand  was 
painted  on  a rock  pointing  to  the  cavern,  with  “Ps. 
lxii.  5-8,”  under  it.  The  following  are  the  words 
of  the  passage  referred  to,  “ My  soul,  wait  thou 
only  upon  God ; for  my  expectation  is  from  him. 
He  only  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation : he  is  my 
defence;  I shall  not  be  moved.  In  God  is  my  sal- 
vation and  my  glory:  the  rock  of  my  strength  and 
my  refuge  is  in  God.  Trust  in  him  at  all  times;  ye 
people,  pour  out  your  hearts  before  him  : God  is  a 
refuge  for  us.” 

24  * 


282 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


At  the  end  of  the  month  of  July,  Gardiner  was 
much  encouraged  to  hope  that  the  health  of  the 
party  at  Cook’s  River  was  so  much  better  as  to  pre- 
sent a prospect  of  restoration.  Mr.  Williams  and 
all  had  partaken  of  celery,  which  the  Captain  had 
recommended,  and  its  beneficial  effects,  particularly 
on  the  young  surgeon,  were  plainly  apparent.  Erwin 
considered  himself  entirely  free  from  the  effects  of 
the  scurvy.  Bryant  was  better.  Pearce  was  weak, 
but  both  Bryant  and  he  were  about,  and  able  to 
collect  mussels  and  fuel.  Still,  however,  days  would 
sometimes  pass  without  any  intercourse  between  the 
inmates  of  the  Cavern  and  the  Speedwell,  for  the 
brave  Gardiner  was  also  beginning  to  succumb  to 
the  stern  demands  of  famine.  With  what  longing 
eyes  did  they  scan  the  horizon,  in  hopes  of  descry- 
ing a sail,  but  nothing  save  a dreary  tract  of  ocean 
met  their  view  ! They  now  suspended  a table-cloth 
to  the  branch  of  a tree,  as  a signal  flag,  hoping  to 
attract  the  attention  of  some  passing  vessel.  Gar- 
diner, although  now  at  times  obliged  to  keep  his 
bed,  still  continued  to  write  in  his  journal,  from 
which  we  shall  only  make  one  extract.  It  is  a 
prayer.  “ Let  not  this  mission  fail,  though  we 
should  not  be  permitted  to  labour  in  it;  but  gra- 
ciously raise  up  other  labourers,  who  may  convey 
the  saving  truths  of  thy  gospel  to  the  poor  blind 
heathen  around  us.” 

About  the  21st  of  August,  Pearce  went  to  Gar- 
diner’s Cavern,  bearing  the  sad  tidings  that  Joseph 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


283 


Erwin  was  fast  failing,  and  had  not  spoken  since 
the  previous  day.  Mr.  Williams  considered  him 
beyond  the  power  of  human  aid.  On  Saturday  the 
23d  he  died,  and  the  following  Tuesday  terminated 
the  sufferings  of  another  of  the  boatmen,  John 
Bryant.  So  one  and  another  of  this  little  mission- 
ary band  was  gathered  by  the  Good  Shepherd  to 
a better  inheritance,  and  higher  and  more  glorious 
employments.  Bryant  had  for  a long  time  been 
failing,  but  no  peculiar  prostration  marked  the  day 
of  his  death.  No  one  was  with  him  at  the  time  ; 
he  wras  found  dead  in  his  berth.  Captain  Gardiner 
wras  now  confined  to  his  bed.  Pearce  was  so  over- 
whelmed with  affliction  at  the  loss  of  the  brothers 
of  his  adoption,  that  he  could  offer  little  assistance. 
Captain  Gardiner  was  incapable  of  making  the  least 
exertion,  and  Mr.  Maidment  was  so  exhausted  by 
the  fatigue  of  burying  his  companions,  that  he  never 
recovered. 

Alone  in  his  “boat  dormitory,”  Gardiner,  now 
fully  assured  of  wdiat  would  be  his  fate,  wrote,  on 
August  27th,  a farewell  letter  to  his  son.  It  is  dated 
Earnest  Cove , Terra  del  Euego,  August  27,  1851, 
and  begins, — 

“ The  Lord  in  his  providence  is  taking  one  and 
another  of  our  little  missionary  band  unto  himself, 
and  I know  not  how  soon  he  may  call  me,  through 
his  abounding  grace  and  redeeming  love,  to  join  the 
company  of  the  saints  above,  where  there  are  pleas- 
ures for  evermore.  It  is  my  desire,  therefore,  to 


284 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


prepare  this  letter  for  you,  that  you  may  have  the 
latest  proof  of  my  affection  for  you,  and  earnest 
desire  for  your  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare.  . . 
Should  it  please  the  Lord  to  incline  your  heart  to 
give  yourself  to  the  gospel  ministry,  next  to  the 
Scriptures  and  devotional  books,  make  Greek  and 
Hebrew  your  principal  studies:  the  latter  should  on 
no  account  be  omitted.  Botany  is  a very  useful  and 
pleasing  study;  should  you  ever  go  abroad,  an  ac- 
quaintance with  plants  and  their  properties  will  be 
of  great  use.  So  also  some  knowledge  of  medicine. 
. . . The  next  point  is  your  profession,  and  the 
time  is  now  arrived  when  this  should  be  determined. 
It  is  of  too  great  moment  to  be  decided  upon  has- 
tily; it  will  be  the  turning-point  of  your  life,  and 
your  future  happiness  will  mainly  depend  upon  the 
selection  which  you  make.  Beware  of  following 
your  own  natural  inclinations  too  closely.  There  is 
but  one  method  of  coming  to  a satisfactory  conclu- 
sion. Spread  the  whole  matter  like  Ilezekiah  be- 
fore the  Lord:  ask  counsel  of  him,  and  lean  not  to 
your  own  understanding;  and  sooner  or  later  you 
will,  if  you  ask  in  simple  reliance  on  his  teaching 
and  guidance,  find  a way  opened  before  you.  When 
this  has  been  at  length  decided,  then  take  the  same 
course  with  regard  to  the  particular  sphere  which 
you  devote  yourself  to.  But  I would  affectionately 
give  you  this  caution — Do  not  think  of  entering  the 
gospel  ministry,  unless  you  conscientiously  feel  that 
you  are  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


285 


sincere  desire  of  winning  souls  to  him.  . . . Tour 
grandfather  gave  me  this  injunction,  and  I repeat 
it  to  you,  ‘Lead  a useful  life,’  and  I will  add,  take 
the  word  of  God  as  your  guide,  and  consult  it  dili- 
gently, with  prayer  to  the  Holy  Spirit  to  open  your 
understanding;  for  it  is  not  the  mere  knowledge  of 
its  contents,  however  enlarged,  critical,  or  clear, 
that  will  carry  you  safely  through  the  snares  and 
temptations  of  this  evil  world,  but  when  it  is  re- 
ceived as  the  sincere  milk  of  the  Word,  by  which  our 
souls  are  daily  nourished  and  strengthened:  then 
and  then  only,  we  grow  thereby,  and  are  prepared 
for  the  cares  and  trials  of  life,  and  are  renewed  in 
the  inward  man : thus  we  are  enabled  to  adorn  the 
doctrine  we  profess,  and  become  gradually  meet  for 
that  incorruptible  and  undefiled  inheritance  that 
fadeth  not  away,  reserved  for  all  those  who  live  by 
faith  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.” 

On  the  28th,  he  wrote  a letter  to  his  daughter,  in 
which  he  took  a tender  farewell  of  her,  and  gave 
her  his  fatherly  counsel.  On  the  29th,  he  wrote  his 
last  letter  to  his  wrife,  from  which  we  present  the 
following  extract : “ If  I have  a wish  for  the  good 
of  my  fellow-men,  it  is  that  the  Terra  del  Fuego 
Mission  might  be  prosecuted  with  vigour,  and  the 
work  in  South  America,  more  especially  the  Chili- 
dugu  branch.” 

On  the  80th  of  August,  Captain  Gardiner  made 
an  attempt  to  leave  the  cavern,  and  take  up  his 
quarters  in  the  boat;  but  finding  him  unable  to  walk 


286 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


■without  crutches,  Mr.  Maidment  (with  no  slight  ex- 
ertion in  his  weak  state)  cut  a pair  of  forked 
sticks,  which  might  have  answered  the  purpose  had 
Gardiner  had  strength  enough  to  proceed.  But  lie 
found  himself  utterly  unable,  and  after  proceeding 
a very  short  distance,  was  obliged  to  return.  From 
Monday  the  1st  of  September,  until  the  5th,  the 
date  of  his  last  communication,  it  is  probable  that 
he  employed  himself  in  revising  the  memoranda 
which  bore  the  heading,  “ Missionary  Memoranda, 
1851,”  afterwards  brought  to  England  by  Captain 
Morshead. 

Mr.  Maidment  retained  his  energy  and  considera- 
tion to  the  last.  On  the  2d  of  September  he  left 
the  boat,  but  was  unable  to  return,  and  his  remains 
were  found  in  Tioneer  Cavern. 

From  this  time  Captain  Gardiner  was  alone.  On 
the  same  day,  when  dreading  the  pangs  of  thirst,  he 
prayed  for  strength  to  procure  water,  and  found 
himself  able  to  get  out,  and  collect  a little  in  his 
India  rubber  shoe,  upon  which  he  makes  the  pious 
remark,  “With  what  mercies  my  heavenly  Father 
loads  me!  Blessed  be  his  holy  name!”  On  the 
3d  of  September  he  made  this  entry  in  his  journal: 
“Blessed  be  my  heavenly  Father  for  all  the  com- 
forts I enjoy : — a comfortable  bed,  no  pain,  not  even 
the  gnawings  of  hunger.  I am  so  weak  that  I can 
scarcely  turn  on  my  couch,  but  through  God’s 
abounding  grace,  I am  kept  in  perfect  peace,  re- 
freshed by  a sense  of  the  love  of  Christ,  and  by 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


287 


the  assurance  that  lie  orders  all  things  in  wisdom 
and  mercy.  I cast  all  my  cares  upon  him,  waiting 
for  him  to  dispose  of  me  according  to  his  pleasure. 
If  I am  in  him,  it  matters  not  whether  I live  or  die. 
I commit  to  him  my  body  and  soul,  begging  him  to 
take  my  dear  wife  and  children  under  the  shadow 
of  his  wings.  May  he  comfort  and  keep  them, 
strengthen  and  sanctify  them,  that  we  may  celebrate 
together,  in  a better  world,  his  love  in  redeeming 
us  with  his  precious  blood.”  On  the  5th  of  Sept. 
1851,  being  reduced  nearly  to  the  last  extremity, 
he  wrote,  “Great  and  marvellous  are  the  loving- 
kindnesses of  the  Lord!  For  four  days  I have 
taken  no  food,  but  he  has  preserved  me  from  feel- 
ing the  pangs  of  hunger  and  thirst.” 

The  following  letter,  addressed  to  the  young  sur- 
geon, whom  it  never  reached,  contains  the  last  words 
of  Allen  Gardiner.  It  was  found  on  the  shore, 
discoloured  by  exposure,  and  torn.  It  was  written 
in  pencil,  partly  full  and  partly  in  a fragmentary 
manner.  The  following  is  thought  to  be  the  correct 
reading: — “My  dear  Mr.  Williams.  The  Lord  has 
seen  fit  to  call  home  another  of  our  little  company. 
Our  dear  departed  brother  left  the  boat  on  Tuesday 
at  noon,  and  he  has  not  since  returned.  Doubtless 
he  is  in  the  presence  of  his  Redeemer’,  whom  he 
served  so  faithfully.  Yet  a little  while,  and  through 
grace  we  may  join  that  blessed  throng  to  sing  the 
praises  of  Christ  throughout  eternity.  I neither 
hunger  nor  thirst,  though  five  days  without  food! 


288 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


Marvellous  loving-kindness  to  me  a sinner  ! Your 
aflectionate  brother  in  Christ,  Allen  F.  Gardiner. 
Sept.  6,  1851.” 

Thus,  far  from  their  homes  and  friends,  perished 
this  little  band — the  Pioneers  of  Fuegia.  “Bles- 
sed are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord;  yea,  saith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labours ; 
and  their  works  do  follow  them.  They  hunger  no 
more,  neither  thirst  any  more,  for  the  Lamb  which 
is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  doth  feed  them.”  Rev. 
xiv.  12,  13;  vii.  16,  17.  What  needed  they  of 
hearse  and  funeral  equipment  ? Did  not 

“ The  wild  winds  ring  their  funeral  knell, 

Sweetly  as  solemn  peal  of  pious  passing  bell?” 

* *****  * 

There  lay  those  precious  relics,  the  diaries  and 
memoranda,  on  which  were  impressed  the  inner 
thoughts  of  hearts  devoted  to  Jesus  Christ.  There 
lay  the  tender,  farewell  letters  of  a loving,  dying 
father  and  husband.  The  tide  ebbed  and  flowed, 
but  injured  not  these  fragile  memorials  of  Christian 
martyrs.  The  spray  dashed  over  them,  and  left 
indelible  stains,  but  the  handwriting  is  still  plain  in 
almost  all  instances.  The  rain  poured  down  from 
above.  The  winds  blew  loud  and  strong,  but  a sleep- 
less eye  watched  over  them,  an  almighty  hand  pro- 
tected them.  Twenty  days  after  the  death  of  Cap- 
tain Gardiner,  a schooner,  the  John  Davison,  sailed 
from  Monte  Video,  by  orders  from  Mr.  Lafone,  to 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


289 


assist  the  mission  party.  Twice  before  he  had  made 
arrangements  for  vessels  to  touch  at  Picton  Island; 
in  January,  and  in  June  or  July.  The  first  vessel 
was  wrecked,  and  the  second  acted  contrary  to  his 
express  instructions.  As  soon  as  he  discovered  this 
failure,  Mr.  Lafone,  in  great  anxiety,  dispatched 
the  John  Davison , Captain  Smyley,  on  a special 
voyage.  This  vessel,  after  saving  the  crew  of  a 
Danish  barque,  who  had  been  cast  away  on  Staten 
Island  thirty-one  days  before,  and  were  then  starv- 
ing, anchored  on  the  21st  of  October  at  Banner 
Cove.  The  directions  painted  on  the  rocks  were 
plain,  ‘ Gone  to  Spaniard’s  Harbour.”  The  bottles 
were  dug  up,  and  the  letters  read.  Captain  Smyley 
therefore  steered  to  Spaniard’s  Harbour,  and  found 
the  Speedwell  on  the  beach,  containing  a dead  body, 
probably  that  of  Mr.  Williams,  as  it  is  not  likely 
that  after  having  been  so  long  confined  to  his  bed,  he 
should  have  been  able  to  leave  it.  On  shore  lay  the 
remains  of  another,  supposed  to  be  that  of  Pearce ; 
and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  he  was  the  last 
survivor  of  the  party.  The  Indians,  whose  naked 
foot-prints  were  observed  on  the  strand,  had  most 
likely  found  him  still  alive  and  had  murdered  him. 
A grave  was  near ; and  books,  papers,  medicine, 
everything  which  was  of  no  value  to  the  savages, 
were  found  scattered  on  the  deck  or  strewn  along 
the  beach. 

Captain  Smyley  writes  : “ The  two  captains  and 
the  stout-hearted  seamen  who  went  with  me  wept 
25 


290 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


like  children  at  the  sight.  With  boats  unfit  to  take 
them  to  the  Falklands,  having  no  resting-place,  for 
they  were  driven  from  point  to  point  by  the  In- 
dians ; always  in  dread  and  fear  ; add  to  these  the 
stormy,  dreary,  long  nights,  with  almost  perpetual 
ice  and  snow ; and  cooped  up  in  a small  boat,  so 
laden  that  there  was  scarce  room  to  move;  without 
food,  and  afflicted  with  that  terrible  disease,  the 
scurvy;  and  their  situation  can  be  judged  of 
partly.”  Captain  Smyley  had  barely  time  to  bury 
the  body  found  on  shore,  when  a violent  gale  arose 
and  drove  him  from  his  anchorage  and  out  to  sea. 
His  little  vessel,  laden  with  the  crew  of  the  cast-a- 
way  barque,  could  prosecute  the  search  no  further, 
but  was  forced  to  return  to  Monte  Arideo. 

Before  this  terrible  news  reached  England,  H. 
M.  S.  Dido , under  Captain  Morshead,  loft  the  Falk- 
lands on  January  6,  1852,  and  arrived  at  Banner 
Cove  on  the  19th.  They  sought  in  vain  for  the 
bottles  under  the  direction-posts,  unconscious  that 
they  had  been  removed  by  Captain  Smyley.  But 
the  directions  painted  on  the  rocks,  induced  them 
to  go  to  Spaniard’s  Harbour,  where  their  notice 
was  attracted  by  a boat  lying  on  the  beach.  As 
there  was  every  indication  of  a gale,  and  the  Cap- 
tain was  anxious  to  get  the  ship  to  sea  in  safety  for 
the  night,  he  sent  two  of  his  party  to  reconnoitre 
and  return  immediately.  They  came  back  shortly, 
bringing  some  books  and  papers,  having  discovered 
the  bodies  of  Captain  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Maidment 


PIONEERS  OP  FUEGIA. 


291 


unburied.  On  one  of  the  papers  was  written  legibly, 
but  without  a date,  “ If  you  walk  along  the  beach 
for  a mile  and  a half  you  will  find  us  in  the  other 
boat,  hauled  up  in  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Delay 
not,  we  are  starving.”  After  hearing  this  sad  in- 
telligence, it  was  impossible  to  leave ; and  next 
morning,  amidst  threatening  weather,  Captain  Mors- 
head  landed.  Mr.  Maidment’s  body  lay  in  the 
cavern  where  he  had  so  often  spent  the  night,  and 
in  which  the  stores  rescued  from  the  Pioneer  were 
kept.  Outside  on  the  rocks  was  painted,  by  way 
of  direction  to  any  visitor,  a hand,  and  under  it  Ps. 
lxii.  5 — 8.  Captain  Gardiner’s  body  was  lying  be- 
side the  wreck  of  the  Pioneer.  It  seemed  he  had 
left  his  berth,  but  being  too  weak  to  climb  in  again, 
he  had  died  at  the  side  of  the  boat.  The  remains 
were  collected  together  and  buried  close  to  the  spot. 
The  funeral  service  was  read ; an  inscription  was 
placed  on  the  rocks  near  his  own  text ; three  volleys 
of  musketry,  the  only  tribute  of  respect  they  could 
pay  to  the  memory  of  this  lofty-minded  man  and 
his  devoted  companions,  who  have  perished  in  the 
cause  of  the  gospel,  were  fired;  the  ship’s  colours 
were  struck  half-mast  high,  and  having  fulfilled  her 
mournful  commission,  the  Dido  went  on  her  way. 

And  now,  dear  Christian  readers,  let  none  imagine 
that  the  labours  of  Gardiner  and  his  companions 
perished  with  them.  They  have  not  died  in  vain, 
for  the  echo  of  their  sufferings,  patience,  and  hap- 
piness in  death,  has  found  its  way  to  the  hearts  of 


292 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


many  thousands,  and  claim  an  equal  sympathy  with 
those  of  the  noble  Franklin  and  his  gallant  crew. 
Are  men  only  great  because  of  success  ? Is  it 
only  the  “ conquering  hero  that  is  taken  to  the 
world’s  heart?”  Is  true  heroism  and  virtue  reck- 
oned only  by  results  ? Can  we  read  such  lives  as 
those  of  Sir  Hugh  Willoughby,  frozen  to  death, 
with  all  his  crew,  in  the  icy  rvaste  of  Lapland ; 
Franklin,  brave  and  tender-hearted  Franklin,  whose 
ship  was  called  a paradise;  Bellot,  the  gallant  young 
Frenchman,  whose  untimely  death  brought  tears  to 
the  eyes  of  the  stern  old  sailors,  his  ship-mates ; our 
own  Kane,  too,  who — 

“ "With  a rocky  purpose  in  his  soul, 

Breasted  the  gathering  snows, 

Clung  to  the  drifting  floes, 

By  want  beleagured,  and  by  winter  chased, 

Seeking  the  brother  lost  amid  that  frozen  waste — 

can  we  read  those  lives  and  ask,  “ What  use?”  And 
what  is  the  moral  of  these  lives?  Not  “glory,” 
but  “ duty,”  was  their  motive,  as  it  also  was  that 
of  our  Patagonian  missionaries,  whose  whole  testi- 
mony goes  to  show  their  devotion  in  the  greatest 
cause  that  man  is  called  to  aid.  What  use  was  a 
mission  to  Fuegia?  May  not  much  be  learned  from 
the  lessons  taught  by  the  sufferings  and  the  self- 
sacrifice  of  these  missionary  martyrs  ; how  no  Chris- 
tian need  fear  that  his  circumstances  will  be  ever  so 
forlorn,  but  that  the  Comforter  can  still  inspire  him 
with  a joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  Illumined 


PIONEERS  OP  PUEGIA. 


293 


by  an  immortal  prospect,  the  dreary  cabin  becomes 
“ none  other  than  the  gate  of  heaven,”  and  cheered 
by  a celestial  visitor,  the  long  hours  of  an  antarctic 
night  are  never  counted.  Famishing  for  want  of 
food,  they  are,  nevertheless,  happy  in  being  counted 
worthy  to  suffer  for  Christ’s  sake;  and  when  in 
their  little  hospital,  the  first  death  takes  place,  the 
Christian  soldier  asks  his  feeble  companion  to  join 
him  in  a hymn  of  praise. 

25  * 


294 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  FLOATING  MONUMENT. 

“"We  see  but  dimly  through  the  mists  and  vapours; 

Amid  these  earthly  damps, 

What  seem  to  us  but  sad  funereal  tapers, 

May  be  heaven’s  distant  lamps.” 

When  the  fate  of  Captain  Gardiner  and  his  com- 
panions became  known  in  England,  it  aroused  the 
most  opposite  feelings  among  the  people, — pity,  ad- 
miration, blame,  grief,  thankfulness,  indignation. 
Those  who  recognized  no  claim  upon  Christians  to 
carry  the  gospel  to  the  uncivilized  heathen,  pro- 
nounced this  effort  and  all  such  to  be  absurd,  chi- 
merical folly.  Others  who  could  admire  the  deeds 
of  those  brave  men  who  lay  down  their  lives  at 
their  country’s  call,  or  sacrifice  themselves  at  the 
claims  of  humanity,  could  see  nothing  to  praise  in 
the  devotion  of  those  seven  men  who  gave  up  all  for 
Christ  and  his  cause.  An  indignant  outcry  was 
raised  against  the  promoters  of  this  enterprise, 
■which  was  condemned  as  a foolish  and  prodigal 
waste  of  life.  These  censures  were  replied  to  by 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


295 


other  journalists  in  a more  humane  and  elevated 
tone.  They  indeed  reproved  those  who  supported 
Captain  Gardiner,  for  their  want  of  commercial 
knowledge.  But  the  memory  of  the  seven  brave 
pioneers  was  treated  with  respect,  as  a sacred  trea- 
sure not  to  be  profaned  by  the  touch  of  unsympa- 
thizing criticism.  Meanwhile,  the  echo  of  their 
sufferings,  patience,  and  happiness  in  death,  found 
its  way  to  the  hearts  of  many  thousands  throughout 
the  country,  both  rich  and  poor.  Some  were  roused 
to  seek  a closer  acquaintance  with  the  gracious 
Saviour,  who  had  so  wonderfully  made  his  cheer- 
ing presence  felt,  by  his  suffering  servants.  Some 
with  tears  lamented  their  own  lukewarmness,  and 
made  a solemn  surrender  of  themselves  to  the 
Lord’s  service  in  their  several  stations  of  life. 
Some  were  arrested  in  a career  of  worldly  excite- 
ment or  hollow  profession  of  religion,  by  the  voice 
of  God,  speaking  to  them  from  the  graves  of  Tierra 
del  Fuego.  If  such  alone  were  the  result  of  the 
mission,  it  was  said,  “ They  have  not  died  in  vain.” 

But  the  great  question  still  demanded  a reply, 
“Was  the  mission  to  Patagonia  and  Fuegia  to  be 
abandoned?”  Those  who  had  most  loudly  con- 
demned the  promoters  of  the  mission,  supported 
their  own  view,  by  calling  the  attempt  an  “ unad- 
vised” one.  It  was  desirable,  therefore,  to  take  the 
advice  of  those  who  were  best  acquainted  with  the 
localities. 

Captain  Morshcad,  who  had  visited  the  spot,  and 


296 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


witnessed  the  dreadful  scene  of  sorrow,  and  brought 
home  the  journals  and  relics  from  Spaniard  Har- 
bour, said,  “ There  would  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  ulti- 
mate success  of  a mission  here.”  Again,  writing 
to  the  Rev.  G.  Pakenham  Despard,  the  Honorary 
Secretary  of  the  Patagonian  Missionary  Society, 
Captain  Morshead  says,  “ As  for  Captain  Gardiner, 
and  his  party,  none  should  grieve  over  them  ; for 
their  sufferings  are  over,  and  they  are  enjoying  a 
brighter  and  a happier  world  in  the  presence  of 
Him  whom  they  served  so  faithfully.  I can  only 
say,  I trust  neither  yourself  nor  the  Society  will  be 
discouraged  from,  following  up  to  the  utmost  the  cause 
in  which  you  have  embarked : and  ultimate  success 
is  as  certain  as  the  present  degraded  state  of  the 
natives  is  evident.  Their  state  is  a perfect  discredit 
to  the  age  we  live  in,  within  a few  hundred  miles  of 
an  English  colony.” 

On  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  Mr.  Despard  at  once 
published  to  the  world  his  resolve  in  the  following 
words,  “ With  God’s  help,  the  mission  to  Tierra 
DEL  FuEGO,  SHALL  BE  MAINTAINED.”  When  this 
resolution  had  been  taken,  the  missionary  memo- 
randa of  Captain  Gardiner  were  carefully  studied, 
together  with  the  plan  which  he  there  proposed  for 
the  future  prosecution  of  the  mission.  While  this 
plan  was  being  considered,  two  communications 
were  made  to  Mr.  Despard,  the  one  by  Captain  D. 
J.  Sulivan,  R.N.,  w’ho  had  just  returned  from  the 
Falklands,  where  he  had  been  acting  as  naval  sur- 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


297 


vejor,  the  other  by  Mr.  Lafone  of  Monte  Video, 
whose  attempts  to  relieve  Captain  Gardiner  have 
been  already  related.  The  three  suggestions  which 
were  now  before  the  committee  were  so  nearly 
identical,  that  the  similarity  was  quite  remarkable. 
The  plan  decided  on  was  to  take  up  ground  on  one 
of  the  Falkland  Islands,  and  from  thence  to  hold  a 
cautious  intercourse  with  the  Feugians,  by  means  of 
a schooner  to  be  named  the  Allen  Gardiner.  This 
schooner  would  thus  be  both  a floating  monument 
to  the  memory  of  the  departed,  and  the  means  of 
carrying  forward  the  work  he  commenced. 

It  was  still  thought  desirable  to  submit  the  plan 
to  Captain  FitzRoy,  R.N.,  the  commander  of  the 
Beagle , when  engaged  in  the  survey  of  the  coasts 
of  Patagonia  and  Tierra  del  Fuego.  The  following 
is  an  extract  from  his  -reply  : “ It  appears  to  me 
that  your  present  plan  is  practicable,  and  compara- 
tively safe ; that  it  offers  a fairer  prospect  of  suc- 
cess than  most  missionary  enterprises  at  their  com- 
mencement, and  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  suggest 
one  less  objectionable.” 

One  more  witness  must  be  brought  forward.  It 
may  be  remembered,  that  when  the  John  Davison 
sailed  from  Monte  Video,  to  convey  assistance  to 
Captain  Gardiner,  Captain  Nichols  sailed  in  her  as 
a volunteer.  He  was  a man  of  thoroughly  practical 
acquaintance  with  the  navigation  of  those  seas. 
Mr.  Despard  received  the  following  communication 
from  him : “ Your  mission,  if  properly  conducted, 


298 


SELF-SACRIFICE,  OR  THE 


I conceive  practicable,  and  eminently  desirable.  I 
should  certainly  recommend  the  vessel  to  be  ■well 
armed,  and  from  100  to  150  tons,  rigged  American 
fashion,  fore-and-aft-sails,  no  square  ones  ; she  would 
then  be  able  to  work  off  a lee  shore.” 

Accordingly,  the  keel  of  a schooner,  to  be 
named  the  Allen  Gardiner , was  laid  in  Dartmouth 
dockyard  on  November  1,  1853.  A solemn  prayer 
was  offered  to  God  for  his  blessing ; and  the  deep 
Amen  showed  that  the  prayer  was  echoed  from 
many  hearts.  The  Allen  Gardiner  was  launched 
on  July  11,  1854.  Again  a solemn  service  was 
held  in  the  dockyard,  and  the  vessel  was  consecrated 
as  a missionary  ship  in  the  service  of  Jesus  Christ. 
On  the  24th  of  October  she  sailed  for  the  Falklands, 
with  a competent  crew,  and  having  on  board  Mr. 
Garland  Phillips  as  catechist. 

Unforeseen  difficulties  prevented  a clergyman 
from  accompanying  the  expedition,  and  after  vari- 
ous disappointments,  Captain  Gardiner’s  tried  and 
trusted  friend,  Mr.  Despard,  offered  his  services  as 
superintendent,  lie  had  been,  under  God,  the  main- 
stay of  the  Society  from  the  time  of  Captain  Gar- 
diner’s final  departure  from  England.  Captain  Gardi- 
ner’s only  son  freely  offered  his  best  services  to  his 
father’s  friend  ; and  they  left  England  in  June  1856, 
and  arrived  at  Stanley,  in  East  Falkland,  on  the 
31st  of  August. 

The  British  government  allowed  them  to  take 
possession  of  Iveppel  Island,  which  is  about  four 


PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


299 


miles  by  six,  as  their  missionary  station,  and  in  1859 
the  missionary  stall'  was  composed  of  the  Rev.  G.  P. 
Despard,  his  wife  and  five  children,  besides  a young 
man  whom  he  had  adopted  and  was  training  as  a 
missionary;  and  Messrs  Phillips  and  Schmidt,  cate- 
chists. In  addition  to  these  must  be  named  the 
master  of  the  Alien  Gardiner , Mr.  Fell,  who  was 
zealously  exploring  the  coast  of  the  mainland  and 
islands  to  determine  the  best  points  for  future  oper- 
ations. A number  of  youth  had  been  placed  under 
the  charge  of  Mr.  Garland  Phillips,  some  of  whom 
had  given  hopeful  indications  of  future  usefulness, 
while  Mr.  Schmidt  was  seeking  intercourse  with  the 
tribes  of  Patagonia.  But  here  God  again  inter- 
posed  to  try  the  faith  and  patience  of  his  people. 
While  the  mission  ship  was  on  the  coast  of  Woollya, 
and  Captain  Fell,  with  the  catechist  and  six  of  the 
crew  on  shore,  they  were  attacked  by  about  two 
hundred  Fuegians,  and  cruelly  massacred  with  clubs 
and  stones.  From  November  to  April,  1860,  the 
vessel  tossed  upon  the  bloodstained  shore,  when  it 
was  recovered  by  Captain  Smyley  of  the  Nancy.  The 
damage  of  the  schooner  was  not  so  great  as  might 
have  been  anticipated.  Her  chain  had  caught 
under  a submarine  rock,  and  so  was  shortened,  other- 
wise her  destruction  would  have  been  inevitable. 
The  interior  of  the  schooner  had  been  ransacked, 
and  everything  capable  of  removal  taken  away  by 
the  natives,  but  the  hull  and  spars  were  sound,  and 


300 


THE  PIONEERS  OF  FUEGIA. 


■with  refitting  the  vessel  was  capable  of  being  again 
brought  into  service. 

While  some  Christians  were  inclined  to  see  in 
this  disaster  the  hand  of  God  put  forth  to  stay  the 
work  in  Tierra  del  Fuego,  and  to  mark  his  disap- 
probation, Mr.  Despard  felt  that  it  was  only  God’s 
way  of  directing  more  attention  to  this  difficult  and 
dangerous  undertaking.  Thus  the  work  of  educat- 
ing the  aborigines  at  the  station  on  Keppel  Island 
is  vigorously  prosecuted.  The  son  of  Captain  Gar- 
diner has  been  recently  ordained  to  the  ministry, 
and  has  opened  an  entirely  new  mission  among  the 
Aracaunian  Indians  of  Chili.  Mr.  Schmidt  has 
been  joined  with  Mr.  Konisiker,  and  they  are  la- 
bouring with  success  in  Patagonia.  The  Society  are 
seeking  openings  for  missionaries  among  the  abo- 
rigines of  the  Brazils,  La  Plata,  and  Bolivia,  and 
expect  again  to  resume  operations  among  the  is- 
lands of  Fuegia. 

May  God  prosper  them  in  their  work  of  faith 
and  labour  of  love ; and  may  the  trials  and  afflic- 
tions and  patience  of  his  servants  redound  to  his 
glory. 


THE  END. 


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